The town of Spencer in Worcester County, Massachusetts, has a population of slightly below 12,000. So when native son Patrick Ricard made it to the NFL, it was a really big deal.Ricard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in May 2017. He’s earned three straight Pro Bowl nods as a full back the past three seasons and has also played on the defensive position on the NFL level.The 28-year-old said he has actually felt the love from his hometown, especially on one particular occasion.”In 2019, my third yr, we played the Patriots — first time playing them in Baltimore. I needed to get 60 tickets,” Ricard said.That love goes each ways, as Ricard and his wife, Hayley, each grew up in Spencer and are graduates of David Prouty High School. Each of them have also been searching for a method to give back to the town.”I’m going into my sixth season now, and I’ve desired to do something up here for therefore long,” Patrick Ricard said.When the couple was brainstorming ideas for what to do for the community, they decided to play on a nickname Ricard earned for his outstanding run blocking for the Ravens.”I’m nicknamed ‘Pancake Pat’ within the Baltimore community and sort of the entire NFL, so we’re like: ‘Why don’t we do like a breakfast or something?'” he said.Next month, the Ricards are holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the DPHS Athletic Booster Club and Spencer Fire Association, organizations that help student-athletes with sports equipment, scholarships and more.”We watched Pat play at David Prouty. People watched him play when he played (for the University of) Maine. And now, to come back back, he’s similar to an on a regular basis kid when he comes back here,” said Tara Donohue, president of the DPHS Athletic Booster Club. “I say kid, but an adult now.”The Ricards’ pancake fundraiser is being held Saturday, July 16, on the Spencer Fire Station. Seatings are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.Tickets for the fundraiser are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Tickets are only available upfront and won’t be sold on the door.On top of the pancakes, the fundraiser may also feature raffle items, autographs and giveaways.Ricard’s fans in Spencer may also have a likelihood to see him play in Massachusetts through the upcoming season, because the Ravens will travel to Foxborough to face the Patriots of their 2022 home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25.
SPENCER, Mass. —
The town of Spencer in Worcester County, Massachusetts, has a population of slightly below 12,000. So when native son Patrick Ricard made it to the NFL, it was a really big deal.
Ricard was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Baltimore Ravens in May 2017. He’s earned three straight Pro Bowl nods as a full back the past three seasons and has also played on the defensive position on the NFL level.
The 28-year-old said he has actually felt the love from his hometown, especially on one particular occasion.
“In 2019, my third yr, we played the Patriots — first time playing them in Baltimore. I needed to get 60 tickets,” Ricard said.
That love goes each ways, as Ricard and his wife, Hayley, each grew up in Spencer and are graduates of David Prouty High School. Each of them have also been searching for a method to give back to the town.
“I’m going into my sixth season now, and I’ve desired to do something up here for therefore long,” Patrick Ricard said.
AP Photo/Nick Wass
Baltimore Ravens fullback Patrick Ricard (42) in motion through the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in Baltimore.
When the couple was brainstorming ideas for what to do for the community, they decided to play on a nickname Ricard earned for his outstanding run blocking for the Ravens.
“I’m nicknamed ‘Pancake Pat’ within the Baltimore community and sort of the entire NFL, so we’re like: ‘Why don’t we do like a breakfast or something?'” he said.
Next month, the Ricards are holding a pancake breakfast fundraiser for the DPHS Athletic Booster Club and Spencer Fire Association, organizations that help student-athletes with sports equipment, scholarships and more.
“We watched Pat play at David Prouty. People watched him play when he played (for the University of) Maine. And now, to come back back, he’s similar to an on a regular basis kid when he comes back here,” said Tara Donohue, president of the DPHS Athletic Booster Club. “I say kid, but an adult now.”
The Ricards’ pancake fundraiser is being held Saturday, July 16, on the Spencer Fire Station. Seatings are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., and 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Tickets for the fundraiser are $5 for adults and $3 for kids. Tickets are only available upfront and won’t be sold on the door.
On top of the pancakes, the fundraiser may also feature raffle items, autographs and giveaways.
Ricard’s fans in Spencer may also have a likelihood to see him play in Massachusetts through the upcoming season, because the Ravens will travel to Foxborough to face the Patriots of their 2022 home opener at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25.
