Boston Celtics memories are among the most cherished in the Mooty household. Patrick Mooty and his wife, Tracy Antonelli, have shared their passion for the team for years. It’s become an intangible heirloom that they’ve now passed down to their daughters, Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie.
“The love of the Celtics runs very deep in our family,” Antonelli told CelticsBlog.
Together, the family has an array of moments to look back on. For Patrick and Tracy, there’s Larry Bird and the Celtics dynasty of the 1980s, which reached five NBA Finals in seven years, winning three (1981, 1984, and 1986). Tracy’s dad was even in attendance at the old Boston Garden when John Havlicek famously “stole the ball” from Hal Greer in Game 7 of the 1965 Eastern Conference Finals. Then, of course, came the “Big Three” of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett in 2008, and most recently — the team Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie have grown up with — Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who together led Boston to its record 18th banner in 2024.
However, as iconic as those memories were, none compared to the emotions the girls expressed when Patrick and Tracy told them they’d be meeting Tatum.
“When we told the girls that we would be sitting courtside at the Celtics game, they didn’t believe us at first,” Antonelli said. “They were elated, literally jumping up and down and screaming. We have never seen them so excited. And we had no inkling that we might meet anyone, never mind Jayson Tatum.”
Tatum and the Celtics hosted the Mooty family on Dec. 22 during a game against the Indiana Pacers, as part of the six-time All-Star’s longtime support for Boston Children’s Hospital. Emmie (16), Rosie (15), and Frannie (12), who were all born with beta thalassemia major, have spent their adolescent years battling the rare blood disorder. They frequently visit the Dana-Farber/Boston Children’s Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, where Tracy — who’s also lived with the same condition — receives monthly blood transfusions alongside her three daughters.
Since his rookie season, Tatum has gone the extra mile to support patients and their families. The 27-year-old was recently honored with Boston Children’s Hospital’s Champions Award for his longstanding commitment to making a difference. Even while rehabbing from the most devastating injury of his career — a ruptured right Achilles tendon — Tatum remains active in that mission.
“Experiences outside the hospital offer something families desperately need — a break. They create space for joy and give these families memories that last a lifetime,” Amica’s president and CEO, Ted Shallcross, told CelticsBlog.
“When a child’s hero shows up for them, it sends a message that they’re seen and supported. For families, it’s a reminder that their journey matters to the broader community. The Celtics’ commitment to giving back aligns closely with Amica’s values, and we’re honored to stand alongside partners who bring comfort, encouragement, and connection to those who need it most.”
The chance to step away from the hospital and onto the iconic parquet wasn’t only surreal for Patrick and Tracy as lifelong Celtics fans; it was especially rewarding as parents to witness the joy it brought Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie.
“They were just so thrilled to get to go to the game and be so close to the action,” Antonelli said. “When we found out about some of the other surprises, like being on the Jumbotron or bringing up the game ball, there were definitely some butterflies, but they knew that they would back each other during those big moments.”
In the second quarter, after a Hugo González basket prompted an Indiana timeout, the Mooty sisters were introduced on TD Garden’s videoboard. Their story was shared, and the three were given a moment to embrace the applause that followed from the thousands of Celtics fans in attendance — a reception for Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie that mirrored the ovations their heroes on the court receive every night.
Even without watching Tatum perform, the Celtics rewarded their honorary guests of the night with a performance that made an already unforgettable experience even more special.
Boston rallied from a 20-point deficit to defeat Indiana, 103–95. Brown scored 31 points, including an electric 14-point takeover in the fourth quarter that reignited the home crowd and swung the game. It was a statement win, one of the Celtics’ most impressive so far, but in looking back on the night, it wasn’t anything that happened on the floor that will linger most in the Mooty family’s memory.
What really stood out was Tatum’s warm welcome.
“The entire night was truly an amazing gift,” Antonelli said. “Without a doubt, the biggest moment of the night was meeting JT. What a class act he is. We had no idea that was going to happen. I think we are all still in shock. It was one of the very best nights of our lives, and one that we will absolutely never forget. For Patrick and me, as parents, the most memorable part was just stepping back and seeing the girls and their joy and excitement in every moment. And seeing our story shared on the Jumbotron with thousands of people was truly humbling. We are so thankful for every second of it.”
Jayson Tatum poses for a pitcure with Tracy Antonelli, Patrick Mooty, and their three daughters, Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie.
Jayson Tatum poses for a pitcure with Tracy Antonelli, Patrick Mooty, and their three daughters, Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie.
Tatum’s time with the Mootys wasn’t his only surprise gift to patients at Boston Children’s Hospital. With no Christmas Day game on the schedule this season, he joined teammate Sam Hauser for a separate visit to meet with patients and their families. Other members of the team who partook in spreading the holiday cheer by paying it forward included Brown, Anfernee Simons, and Jordan Walsh.
“We’ve spent some good time together, but also some time with people that we can have an impact on, so it’s definitely important,” Celtics head coach Mazzulla said before Boston’s win over Indiana. “I’m thankful for that platform.”
While Tatum’s invitation gave the Mooty sisters their most unforgettable Celtics memory, the bond between Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie has always been unbreakable. They’ve faced everything together, always by each other’s side. Whether cheering on the Celtics courtside or receiving treatment at Boston Children’s Hospital, Tracy and Patrick’s daughters support one another every step of the way through their journeys.
That’s helped provide a comforting constant for Tracy to lean on.
“Love truly makes a family,” she said. “The girls have an indescribable bond. They are always there for one another, whether it is bonding over their journey with thalassemia or just in living their best lives. They remind each other to take medications and support one another when they are having a tough day. When they are getting their IVs for a blood transfusion, the first question they will ask is, ‘How many sticks did my sister get?’ They cheer each other on at basketball games and gymnastics meets. Their bond in and out of the hospital is incredible, and creates a sense of ‘I’m there for you, always.’”
Meeting Tatum was more than a fan experience for Emmie, Rosie, and Frannie. Their trip to TD Garden left them in complete disbelief.
Tracy touched on what it meant to the family and expressed her gratitude to Tatum.
“First, we can’t thank Jayson Tatum enough for making time for us. For a kid, getting to meet your hero and shake his hand is a dream come true. He is an inspiration to anyone recovering from something or fighting something. We talked about his recovery. He was kind, friendly, and down-to-earth — like you see him with Deuce. It was easy to see that he likes meeting kids. He was gracious about taking pictures and even took a selfie with the girls. That selfie was our favorite pic of the whole night. Before he left, he told the girls to bring the Celtics luck in the second half — and they came back for an awesome win! The nicest thing is that JT made us feel like it was just as cool for him to meet the girls as it was for the girls to meet him.”
If there’s one thing Tracy hopes her daughters’ story accomplishes, it’s to show how vital blood donations are for families worldwide.
“We love sharing our story to raise awareness of thalassemia and to share our pride in Boston Children’s Hospital and everything BCH has done for our family and countless others. We also hope to raise awareness of the importance of blood donation. You never know when you or a loved one might need blood. We ask anyone who is able to please consider donating blood. If you’re unable to donate, please spread the word!”