Bellingham teens get Patriots tickets and Mark Wahlberg FaceTime call

A group of teenagers in Bellingham, Massachusetts, who gained local attention for including an eight-year-old boy with autism in their games at Urban Air Adventure Park, were surprised on November 6, 2026, with 20 tickets to the upcoming New England Patriots versus Green Bay Packers game and a celebrity FaceTime call from Mark Wahlberg.

The story began last month when Tristan Caron, an eight-year-old from Foxboro who lives with autism, visited Urban Air Adventure Park. While playing, he was approached by a group of local teenagers who had never met him before. Instead of ignoring him, they invited him to join their games, an act of inclusion that caught the attention of local news outlet CBS Boston. The footage of those interactions resonated with viewers, including Michael Intoccia, a father who also has a son with autism.

Moved by the teens’ actions, Intoccia—who founded the nonprofit A Voice For Mikey to support families of children with autism—decided to organize a gesture of gratitude. On Friday, November 6, he invited the group of teenagers, Tristan, and their mothers to a pizza gathering. The event quickly turned into a celebration when Intoccia revealed that he had secured 20 tickets for the group to attend the Patriots-Packers game this coming Sunday. The teens were told they would serve as special guests and have the opportunity to go out on the field before kickoff.

Celebrity Recognition and the Impact of Inclusion

The surprise continued when Intoccia placed a FaceTime call to his friend, Boston native and actor Mark Wahlberg. During the call, Wahlberg spoke directly to the teens, commending their behavior. “I heard about your act of kindness, and you know what’s really cool is being kind to people,” Wahlberg told the group. The actor also invited the teenagers to the premiere of his upcoming film, which focuses on a father raising a child with autism.

A special announcement from @mark_wahlberg! #SB51 #Patriots https://t.co/RsW8nyKBRg

— https://x.com/NFL/status/828353103854346240

Bellingham teens get Patriots tickets and Mark Wahlberg FaceTime call

“Having an autistic child, it means a lot as a father. I get emotional talking about my son. It was so good to see these kids make this child feel like they’re one of them, and we usually don’t see that to them,” said Michael Intoccia.

For the families involved, the event highlighted the tangible difference small acts of social integration can make. Christina Caron, Tristan’s mother, expressed how isolating the experience of raising a child with special needs can be, noting that the teens’ decision to include her son provided a significant sense of hope for their family. The story of the encounter has since traveled beyond their local community, with many strangers reaching out to share how much the gesture meant to them.

The Broader Context of Social Integration

Inclusion initiatives for children with autism often focus on structured environments, but spontaneous social interactions in public spaces remain a critical area for development. According to research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects approximately 1 in 36 children in the United States. While public awareness regarding neurodiversity has grown, the “insulating” feeling described by parents often stems from a lack of peer-to-peer engagement in informal settings like recreational parks or schools.

The teenagers involved, including Rhea Mendoca, expressed surprise at the scale of the response. “It’s mind-blowing to be honest. I just can’t believe that a simple act of kindness can go this far,” Mendoca said. Tristan, who identifies Patriots quarterback Drake Maye as his favorite player, remains focused on his daily progress. As he looks forward to the game on Sunday, he continues to emphasize the value of the connections he has made, stating, “I am very proud of myself and working hard at school and all around the world. And I love this world so much.”