Jaylen Brown received the keys to Boston during a public farewell event at Boston Common following his trade from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the end of a decade-long tenure that included the 2024 NBA Finals MVP award.
A Public Farewell at Boston Common
Ten years after arriving in Massachusetts as a quiet, hardworking prospect, Jaylen Brown bid farewell to local fans in a gathering organized by his brand, 741 Performance. Supporters packed Boston Common, waving signs reading «Te echaremos mucho de menos» and «Boston siempre te querrá» while Brown signed autographs on Celtics and 76ers merchandise and posed for photographs.
Reflecting on his tenure with the franchise, Brown addressed the crowd directly. «Cuando llegué a esta ciudad, dije que iba a luchar por ella», Brown said, thanking the community members who supported him through his career. «Quiero dar las gracias a la gente que me ha apoyado incluso cuando yo mismo no lo hacía. Solo quiero darle las gracias a Boston, a la ciudad, yles digo que los quiero».
Official Recognition from City and State Leaders
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu addressed the crowd alongside members of her administration, praising Brown’s impact beyond the basketball court. Wu told attendees that Brown had changed lives across the city and left supporters heartbroken over his departure. As a permanent token of appreciation, Wu presented the player with a commemorative street sign bearing the inscription «Jaylen Brown Way».
Representing the state of Massachusetts, representative Christopher Worrell formally presented Brown with the keys to the city of Boston—specifically representing the 5th Suffolk District—citing his incredible labor within the African American and Latino communities. A visibly stunned Brown reacted to the gesture on social media shortly after the event, writing that «Dios está loco».
Legacy of the 2024 Championship Run
Brown leaves Boston carrying the distinction of being named the MVP of the 2024 NBA Finals, where he helped guide the Celtics to their first title in 16 years. Over his decade with the organization, he evolved from a prospect into a cornerstone of the franchise’s identity on and off the parquet.
While his professional career continues in Philadelphia, the public turnout at Boston Common underscored a lasting bond between Brown and the city he represented for ten seasons.
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