Celtics Star Jaylen Brown Champions “Raise the Age” Bill at Massachusetts State House

Boston Celtics standout Jaylen Brown utilized his day off on Wednesday to champion the “Raise the Age” bill at the Massachusetts State House, standing alongside Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca, team president Rich Gotham, and vice president of team operations and organizational growth Allison Feaster in a collective push for the bill’s passage.

The “Raise the Age” bill seeks to incrementally elevate the age of juvenile jurisdiction to encompass individuals aged 18 to 20. In addressing Massachusetts legislators, Brown expressed gratitude for playing for an organization committed to the community and emphasized the significance of representing underrepresented voices.

Speaking on the purpose of their gathering, Brown stated, “The ‘Raise the Age’ bill makes all the sense in the world. I think all of us in this room, including myself, were one decision away from being in a different situation. As society continues to evolve, I think the system that serves it should evolve as well.”

Brown, who has been an ardent supporter of the “Raise the Age” initiative throughout the 2023-24 NBA season, stressed the need for improvement in societal systems and commended the bill as a pivotal starting point. Notably, he highlighted the disproportionate impact of the incarceration rate in Black and brown communities in Boston.

Expressing his enthusiasm for advocating such a cause, Brown stated, “To be able to be an advocate on such a cause is a no-brainer to me, so I’m happy to be here.”

This isn’t the first time Brown has used his platform to support “Raise the Age.” During the Celtics’ November 10 matchup against the Toronto Raptors, the 27-year-old addressed the TD Garden crowd to discuss the team’s backing of the bill, a sentiment underscored by several players donning “Raise the Age” shirts before the game. Brown’s continued commitment reflects the NBA’s broader movement towards social justice advocacy and community engagement.