If 13-year-old Brayden Gero, a Little League player who has Down Syndrome, looks familiar maybe it’s because you saw him posing with former U.S. President Barack Obama during a ceremony to honor the 2014 National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) TOP COPS.

Or, maybe it’s because you saw him riding on the duck boat with Tom Brady as the New England Patriots celebrated their 2015 Super Bowl win.

Or, perhaps it’s because he caught your eye when he was on the field at Fenway meeting Albert Pujols.

Brayden isn’t a pro athlete, but his popularity around the Boston area reaches sky-high.

The teen from West Roxbury drew a rousing cheer last year when he stepped on the pitching mound and recorded the final out of the season for his Little League team. It was a huge deal because normally Brayden plays in the outfield.

But, when the opposing team decided to allow him to shine as a pitcher, he delivered three strikes (all swinging) to the final batter and both teams ran out onto the field to celebrate his accomplishment.

“Believe it or not, the coaches didn’t tell them to do that [celebrate that way they did],” Brayden’s father, Jarrod Gero, told Little League Baseball. “That was just the kids. They were just excited for him. It shows you what kind of kids they are and what the coaches in that league teach them all year.”

 

 

But, perhaps his greatest feat comes away from the world of sports. In April, he was honored by the Boston Police Department with a Special Commissioner’s Commendation for his service to the department.

“Brayden’s a wonderful kid and huge fan of police officers,” Commissioner William Evans said in a statement. “He’s been right by my side as he and I have spoken to the recruits about the importance of being good police officers.”

Brayden will often speak to recruits, telling them to “stay safe” and “help one each other.”

According to Jarrod, Brayden hasn’t let the award out of his sight.

“He’s so proud of it because of his love of police officers and everything they represent,” Jarrod said. “He looks up to them, one day hopes to be one, and he’s never met a police officer he didn’t like.”

How’s that for a sports hero that not only Boston, but every major city, needs.