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20 hours ago
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Jon Bon Jovi’s presence on the New England Patriots’ sideline has become a familiar sight for NFL fans, even if it may seem out of place for a New Jersey rock icon.
Despite his deep roots in the Garden State, he has spent decades as a fixture in the Patriots’ inner circle, often seen standing on the field during pregame warmups or watching from the owner’s suite. His loyalty to the team has remained constant through the franchise’s greatest highs and its recent rebuilding phases, making him one of the most visible celebrity supporters in professional football.
His connection to the team goes far deeper than typical celebrity fandom and is rooted in a long-standing personal history. While many believe he simply jumped on the bandwagon during the team’s historic championship runs, the true explanation involves a specific set of relationships within the organization that formed years before the trophies arrived.
That bond has allowed him a level of access rarely granted to outsiders, turning the musician into a genuine part of the Patriots’ extended family for reasons that transcend the game itself.
Here’s why Bon Jovi is a fan of the Patriots.
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Why is Jon Bon Jovi a Patriots fan?
Bon Jovi’s allegiance to the New England Patriots is rooted in deep personal friendships that span over three decades. His fandom originally began through his connection to former coaches Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick during their time with the New York Giants in the late 1980s. When Belichick eventually moved to Foxborough, Bon Jovi’s football loyalty followed him, leading the singer to famously state that he went wherever Parcells and Belichick went.
Beyond his bond with the coaching staff, Bon Jovi developed a friendship with Patriots owner Robert Kraft. Over the years, this relationship has grown to include Kraft attending many Bon Jovi concerts and providing the singer with personal and professional guidance.
The singer’s role within the organization has become so official that his band's music is a staple of the stadium experience, with the song "Livin' on a Prayer" often playing after the team scores. His involvement with the franchise continues into the 2025-26 season, where he is introducing the Patriots as they take the field for Super Bowl 60.
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Jon Bon Jovi-Robert Kraft relationship
Bon Jovi’s relationship with Kraft began in 1996 and eventually evolved into what both describe as a “very dear” friendship.
While the rocker’s football loyalty originally followed coach Bill Belichick from the Giants to New England, it was Kraft who integrated him into the team’s cultural fabric. Their connection has grown so close that Kraft has provided personal business mentorship to Bon Jovi, most notably advising him during his 2014 attempt to purchase the Buffalo Bills.
That partnership is highly visible at Gillette Stadium, where the musician is a permanent fixture in Kraft’s luxury suite and has been gifted two of the team’s Super Bowl rings. The strength of their bond is a central theme this week, as the Patriots prepare for Super Bowl LX on Sunday.
To celebrate their decades of friendship and the team’s return to the big game, Kraft has tapped Bon Jovi to officially introduce the Patriots as they take the field at Levi’s Stadium.
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Patriots 'Livin' On a Prayer' tradition
The "Livin' on a Prayer" tradition at Gillette Stadium is one of the most electric moments in New England sports, typically occurring during the fourth quarter of home games.
When the song's opening talk-box riff hits, the stadium's audio is cut, allowing nearly 66,000 fans to belt out the chorus a cappella. While Jon Bon Jovi’s friendship with Robert Kraft helped cement the song’s status, the tradition truly took on a life of its own during the 2014 AFC Divisional Round against the Baltimore Ravens. During that game, a massive crowd sing-along helped will the team to a comeback victory, turning the rock anthem into a rallying cry used to close out big wins.
The tradition has seen a major resurgence during the 2025-2026 season as the Patriots, led by young quarterback Drake Maye, surged back into championship contention.
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Where is Jon Bon Jovi from?
Bon Jovi was born in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, and was raised in Sayreville.
He is deeply connected to his home state, having formed his band there in 1983 and even naming the group's 1988 chart-topping album New Jersey. He attended St. Joseph High School in Metuchen before graduating from Sayreville War Memorial High School.
His early career was spent performing in local Jersey clubs, which helped solidify his identity as one of the state's most famous musical icons.
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Did Jon Bon Jovi live in New England?
There have been various reports and local sightings suggesting Bon Jovi has owned property in New England.
Sightings in the Worcester County area in the early 2000s led to claims that he built a significant home there, complete with a recording studio and a helipad.
In 2017, reports surfaced that he was looking to move his family to the Torrington, Connecticut area to find "peace and serenity," though he is most commonly associated with his primary residences in New Jersey, Florida, and New York.
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