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Boston Sports World Remembers Sen. Kennedy

We’re not going to break any news with this, but Massachusetts Sen. Edward M. Kennedy passed away late Tuesday night at 77 after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. Whether you agree with his politics or not, whether you condone his sometimes despicable actions (from his past) or not, no one can deny his commendable amount of public service to the United States. After 46 years in the Senate, the Liberal Lion leaves a legacy that includes 1,000′s of legislative measures, among many other political accomplishments.

Sen. Kennedy was also a big Boston sports fan, and the Red Sox Wednesday night paid tribute before taking the field against the White Sox. The American flag in center field flew at half staff, and an Air Force bugler played “Taps” as both teams lined the baselines in remembrance.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick also took the time to pay tribute to the fallen Senator in his morning press conference on Wednesday:

“To start off, I’d just like to say that I have a lot of personal regret today on the passing of Senator Kennedy. I send the condolences on behalf of the team to his family. He was really a guy that was personally supportive of this team and also of me.

He sent me a personal note on numerous occasions, I’d say almost annually at the end of the year, congratulating us on our success, or sometimes when things didn’t go the way we wanted them to, notes of encouragement and that kind of thing. Of course, he was there for our trips to Washington and things like that.

He was a great Senator from a great family in this area. He certainly had an impact on all of us in one way or another. His leadership and his courage were certainly something that I personally always looked up to, and I know meant a lot to the people in this state, as well as the entire nation.”

All four local teams will probably be honoring Sen. Kennedy as the days, weeks, and months go on.

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Bill Belichick, Patriots, Red Sox, Ted Kennedy