Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown and the Celtics loved the David Ortiz retirement ceremony


As one of the most beloved sports figures in Boston's illustrious history approaches the final days of his playing career, the Boston Celtics were at Fenway on Saturday night to celebrate David Ortiz's amazing career with the city of Boston. Former members of the New England Patriots, past and current Boston Bruins players, and the whole Celtics team joined the Sox fans in celebrating Ortiz's legacy. The ceremony had a big impact on most that were there, especially C's rookie Jaylen Brown. Via Jay King of Masslive.com:

"It felt like a movie," Celtics rookie Jaylen Brown said before practice Monday. "Being on the field – I've never been on a baseball field to that capacity before. And just to see David Ortiz up close, it was kind of like a movie."

Brown added that he hopes to achieve the level of success that Ortiz has had and to be loved by the city's amazing fans:

Brown still hasn't played in an NBA game and hasn't had much of a chance to get familiar with the Boston sports scene. After seeing how Red Sox fans treat Ortiz, the Celtics rookie hopes he can earn a similar following one day.

"It was surreal," Brown said. "To see the amount of love that he got from the stadium and things like that, he's a celebrity. People love David Ortiz. And I want to be loved in the same type of light one day."

Jae Crowder was also moved by the ceremony and talked about the winning culture Ortiz has helped to create in Boston:

Jae Crowder called participating in the event "probably one of the most memorable things I've ever done in my life." Brown said he got a signed jersey and memorabilia from Ortiz -- and plans to hold on to the gear for a long time.

"I'll probably keep that with me forever," Brown said. "My kids will probably see that down the line."

More than any clutch hit, Crowder said he will remember Ortiz for the speech he delivered days after the Boston Marathon bombing, telling Red Sox fans "this is our (bleeping) city."

"That will go down in history. That will be replayed over and over and over again," Crowder said. "Just a guy who really took on this culture of what the city is about. He represented it very well. And I'll never forget that. I think that for his legacy that will be one of the most key moments."



Al Horford who's friends with Ortiz, also loved being part of the celebration:

"(The ceremony) was unbelievable," Horford said. "It was a great experience. I was so proud of David. We all are of the way he's carried himself throughout the years. He means a lot to a lot of us and just to be there in that moment for me was very special. I didn't imagine that I was going to be a part of something like that, so I had a lot of fun."

Coach Brad Stevens also stated that this kind of celebration is a great thing for the team and the young guys to be a part of:

"I think it was good for all of us, obviously, but, for the new guys, the guys that are new to Boston, I think to be standing out there in rain and mist and be at the game and see every seat full and the way that Ortiz has impacted not only the team but the city, was really good," said Stevens. "Even before, I thought it was really good because the Red Sox personnel talked to all the people that were there about, you know, any time they've ever needed David to do anything, he's done it. I just think that any time you're talking about a Hall of Famer and that's the way that everybody has received him, that's who he is, that's a neat deal."

I couldn't agree more with Brad Stevens. The Celtics are as a whole a very young team and for guys like Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and others to be a part of the celebration of one of the greatest athletes in Boston's history is something they can always look back on positively. While no one expects the Celts to win an NBA Championship this year, the aspirations to do so are there. As the team continues to grow, looking at Ortiz as a model to build on in terms of success is a great tool of inspiration that the team can use.

Jaylen Brown is obviously very hungry in terms of succeeding and for him to experience Ortiz's ceremony as a rookie quite the privilege. I think he's wise beyond his years in terms of maturity and I fall in love with him more everyday. It's great to see that he took the experience to heart, much like the rest of the team.

Image Credit: Boston Celtics Twitter
Follow Kevin Yazhari on Twitter @KevKevYazhari
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