Kelyn’s NEGU Crew was started by Kelyn Rowe, a longtime supporter of the Jessie Rees Foundation, who worked to give Courageous Kids a memorable experience as they fight against cancer. Rowe was traded to Sporting Kansas City this past off-season is passing the torch to goalkeeper Matt Turner, who will take over as the team’s representative for the Never Ever Give Up Crew/NEGU Crew this season.
When asked about replacing Rowe with the NEGU Crew, Turner said “Kelyn always knew that I was really interested in being a part of it. I’m really involved with hospital visits like the ones at Boston Children’s Hospital, and so it was just something that when Kelyn brought it up to me, it was a no brainier. I said yes immediately, and I’m really excited.”
The meaningful and inspiring visits to Gillette Stadium to see the Revolution team play are a truly unique game day experience, where the heroic children have a chance to meet the team, watch the players’ warm-ups from the sidelines, and walk on the field after the match and be cheered on for their courageous efforts by loyal Revs supporters.
While Turner has always had an interest in the NEGU Crew, there was one special, inimitable moment that stuck out to the goalkeeper from Rowe’s efforts on and off the pitch.
Late in the 2017 season, a special member of Kelyn’s NEGU Crew, Devin Suau, was in the middle of a battle with a rare brain tumor. The brave young Courageous Kid was scheduled to visit Gillette Stadium for a game with the Jessie Rees Foundation, but unfortunately was unable due to medical reasons. Devin signed with the Revs as an honorary team member right before he tragically lost his courageous fight with cancer.
The team honored Devin with armbands in his memory at the last game of the campaign against Montreal, and Rowe scored an extremely moving goal that gave the Revs the win with the last kick. “I’ll never forget the goal he scored at the end of the season in 2017 against Montreal with the whole Devin’s Army situation,” said Turner. “With Devin passing and Kelyn then scoring a goal, everything about that was super emotional. It was something that transcended the sport. To be able to have that possibility is something that I’m really grateful for.”
We know that lots of JOY will be spread as he brings Matt’s NEGU Crew to a new level this coming season, beginning with the first visit on Saturday, March 30, when the Revs host Minnesota United FC at Gillette Stadium!
