(Matt Turner with Torren, a NEGU Crew Kid— New England Revolution)

New England Revolution Goalkeeper Matt Turner is much more than an elite shot stopper in MLS. He’s also a massive part of the community, spending much of his free time making lives of others around him better. Turner took over as the Revs’ ambassador to the Jessie Rees Foundation, continuing former Revs’ star Kelyn Rowe’s tradition of the NEGU (Never Ever Give Up) Crew giving Courageous Kids a memorable experience as they continue their fight against cancer. Turner, like Rowe before him, brings a kid onto the field after the game to get serenaded by the Revs’ supporters section, who sing a song reminding them to Never Ever Give Up.

Matt took some time to answer a few questions about the NEGU Crew and what their mission means to him.

Q: When Kelyn Rowe departed for Kansas City and Kelyn’s NEGU Crew was left without a representative, what made you interested in picking up the torch and taking ownership of NEGU Crew?

Turner: “Over the previous couple of years, I believe I speak for all of his teammates when I say we really admired the way Kelyn put his time and energy into creating these special moments for the kids and their families, who have faced so much adversity it’s difficult to even imagine at times. His work with the Jessie Rees Foundation and Kelyn’s NEGU Crew set an example that the rest of us in the locker room looked up to, so when Kelyn asked me if I would take over for him ahead of this season, it was a no-brainer. For the kids, it was always the right decision to make and I’m lucky to now have the chance to continue what he started, putting smiles on faces and helping give these families an unforgettable experience. It’s one of the great honors we have as professional athletes and I am thankful for the opportunity to make a difference in their lives, even if only for one great night.”

Q: What did you learn from watching how Kelyn handled NEGU Crew for all of those years? Did he give you any advice?

Turner: “Yeah, I definitely asked Kelyn a lot of advice here and there. I really wanted to know how involved he got with each family not only on the day of, but also before and after the match. It’s something he would always take the time to do and I want to carry forward as well. From watching him do it all those years, what impressed me most was his personality with the kids before and after wins, before and after losses, and how consistent he was every single time with his approach to these special nights. It’s not easy to put on a smile after a tough loss sometimes, but Kelyn always set a great example of putting the result behind him and committing his focus 100 percent to making sure the family he was hosting had the best experience possible.”

Q: On June 29, you held the year’s second installment of Matt’s NEGU Crew when you hosted six-year-old Torren Velez from Framingham, MA during the Revs’ 2-1 win over Houston. Torren was diagnosed with T-Lymphoblastic Lymphoma on January 3, 2019. Since January, his tumor has shrunk by 80 percent. What was the best part of that night for you – and for Torren?

Turner: “It was an amazing night. We’re 2-0 on NEGU Crew nights so far! My hat goes off to all the fans, especially everybody in The Fort. Our supporters do a great job of making that experience truly special after the game. It was a packed house after the game on Saturday, and they really do an amazing job with the signs, the chants, and making the kids who are a little shy feel welcome. Torren was definitely a little shy, a bit apprehensive and nervous, but credit to all of my teammates and like I said, the fans, for making him feel welcome and giving him a night I’m sure he will never forget.”

Q: What other work do you do in the community, and how do you see Matt’s NEGU Crew growing in the future?

Turner: “Along with my teammates, I do a lot of work with children and families, particularly those battling childhood cancer, through our friends at Hasbro Children’s Hospital in Providence, and Boston Children’s Hospital. What I would personally like to do more of is take each of those connections one step further and bring those experiences and relationships around full-circle. After we visit a hospital or host a family at a game for NEGU Crew, I think it’s important to have that not be a one-and-done connection, but hopefully I can personally do more to remain in touch with them as they continue their fights and journeys, provide support wherever we can, and make sure they truly feel like part of the Revolution family, because they are.”



To learn more about the impact and mission of the Jessie Rees Foundation and the NEGU Crew, please follow this link: https://negu.org/