Jaylen Brown throws a Boston farewell party for the ages
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Boston Celtics fans set aside their heartbreak Sunday afternoon and celebrated Jaylen Brown before he sets off to play for the Philadelphia 76ers.
The intrigue: Brown's farewell party, 741 Frequency Fest, took over the Boston Common with games, local artists and celebrities in what emcees say they hope will become an annual tradition.
Catch up quick: The festival, hosted with the Black-owned restaurant Hue, presented local acts like Boston artist Yanna G as well as major artists like Lil' Jon and A$AP Ferg, who brought Brown on stage to perform their song, "Just Do It."
- He started passing around a large trophy to crowd surf during the musical acts.
- Brown also brought in games, a hoops contest and backpack giveaways for school children.
Before the day ended, Brown was given a key to the city and a street sign named after him and presented by Mayor Michelle Wu.
Yes, but: Fans didn't wait for the grand gestures to show their love for the former NBA Finals MVP.
- "We will miss you. Thank you for supporting teachers!" read one message from a Boston Public Schools teacher.
- Brown has given away school supplies, hosted an annual STEM summer camp and sponsored the Crew Love basketball tournament through his 7uice Foundation.
What they're saying: "He puts back into the city," Russell Medeiro, known as the "guy with green hair," tells Axios. "I love him. JB's a Celtic and will always be in the heart."
- "When JB retires, his number will hang in the rafters because he will always be a Celtic," says Nasser "Aztec Gino" Abasali.
The bottom line: Brown plans to continue his philanthropic and community-building work in Boston, but Celtics fans seem ready to cheer him on even as he joins the 76ers.