Jaylen Brown may no longer be a member of the Boston Celtics, but his final celebration in the city made clear that his connection to Boston extends well beyond basketball.
Brown returned to Boston Common on Sunday for the “741 Frequency Fest,” a free community event designed as a farewell and thank-you to the city after his trade to the Philadelphia 76ers ended a 10-year run with the Celtics. Thousands of fans gathered for an afternoon that combined music, basketball, giveaways and a celebration of Brown’s impact in Boston.
The event had the atmosphere of both a block party and a send-off. Artists including Lil Jon, Lil Baby and A$AP Ferg performed, while Brown himself joined Ferg on stage to perform “Just Do It,” the song the two released together earlier this summer. Brown also brought the 2024 Larry O’Brien Trophy and his Finals MVP and Eastern Conference Finals MVP trophies to the celebration, giving fans another reminder of the championship run that permanently connected him to the city.
Brown spent much of the event interacting directly with supporters, signing Celtics and 76ers merchandise, posing for pictures and moving through the crowd. Fans also filled a large thank-you board with messages for the former Celtics star.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu joined Brown on stage and presented him with a commemorative street sign reading “Jaylen Brown Way.” Wu praised Brown not only for what he accomplished at TD Garden, but also for his work throughout Boston’s schools, parks and communities during his decade in the city.
Jaylen Brown has received a key to the state of Massachusetts almost 2 months after trading being traded pic.twitter.com/5WAIQ7A6Aa
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 30, 2026
Brown was also presented with a ceremonial key in recognition of his community work, adding another emotional layer to what had already become a very public goodbye.
His message to the fans reflected that emotion.
Brown told the crowd that when he first arrived in Boston, he promised himself he would “go to war” for the city. He thanked the people who supported him throughout his journey and acknowledged those who believed in him even during moments when he struggled to believe in himself.
“I just want to say thank you to Boston, thank you to the city, and I love you,” Brown said.
Jaylen Brown:
“I just want to say thank you to Boston. Thank you to the city. I love you.”
Respect. 🫡 ❤️
(h/t @JustinmTurpin)
pic.twitter.com/wskVh3gRmu— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) August 30, 2026
The farewell closed an extraordinary chapter. Boston selected Brown with the third overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, and he eventually became a five-time All-Star, an All-NBA selection and the 2024 Finals MVP while helping deliver the Celtics’ 18th championship.
His departure to Philadelphia this summer changed the basketball relationship. Sunday showed that it did not erase the personal one.
