Rhode Island Duck Goes Viral at Patriots-Giants Game [VIDEO]

Every now and then while scrolling through the socials, something will stop me in my tracks.

This time it was a photo shared by the NFL: a guy in the stands at Monday night’s New England Patriots matchup against the New York Giants at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro was holding a duck, and the crowd around him was absolutely loving her.

Meet Dawn, a one-year-old duck from Providence who has somehow become one of New England’s most unexpected celebrities. Lately, her stardom has brought new fans, sponsorships, and now a moment in the spotlight at Gillette. Her owner Justin Taymes didn’t just bring a bird to a football game. He brought the region’s fluffiest ambassador of joy

How Dawn Became New England’s Favorite Wingman

Dawn’s story starts in the most ordinary place possible: the dog food aisle at Tractor Supply. Taymes walked in for a bag of kibble and walked out with a duckling that had hatched just hours earlier. Price tag: seven bucks.

“I always wanted a duck since I was a kid,” Taymes said. “I bought her, went home, watched YouTube for three hours, and learned how to take care of a duck.”

That impulsive moment changed his life.

READ MORE: The Story of New Bedford’s Brooklawn Park Duck Pond Duck House

Since then, Dawn has become a registered service duck with her own lawyer, manager, security detail, cameramen, jeweler, and yes, an LLC. She visits schools, senior centers, hospitals, churches, and community events with one mission: spreading happiness. She’s been on ESPN, featured by the Patriots and the NFL, and even has a children’s book in the works called How Dawn Found Her Quack, which teaches kids about recycling.

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“She’s here to spread love and positivity,” Taymes said, and the world has responded.

A Viral Moment at Gillette Stadium

Monday’s Patriots-Giants game wasn’t Dawn’s first sports appearance. She previously became an unofficial mascot for the Providence Friars. It was, however, her biggest stage yet. Gillette Stadium has entered the chat.

“They knew who she was,” Taymes said. “Security just let us walk right in. I had nowhere to sit, so I ran all over the stadium taking pictures. Everyone loved her.”

 

 

 

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Patriots fans, Giants fans, didn’t matter. Everywhere Dawn waddled, smiles followed. Even ESPN included her in their Top 10.

From Ice Cream Shops to Teslas: Dawn Is Booked and Busy

Dawn’s rise has caught the attention of businesses big and small. She’s sponsored by Tizzy K’s Cereal Ice Cream and Sophia’s Café. She “ducks” Jeep Wranglers. She has billboards in Puerto Rico. She recently met with Tesla, which pitched a concept called “Cyber Duck” for an upcoming commercial.

Taymes said that his best buddy has met celebrities, rappers, content creators and athletes. Even celebrity Judge Frank Caprio adored her, not too long before his unfortunate passing. She’s been on jet skis, cruises, weddings, Halloween parades, bowling nights, club appearances – and yes, fancy restaurants feed her like royalty. Her nickname is "Duck Sauce," "because she stays drippy," Taymes said, jewelry and all.

A Duck That Changes Lives

The wildest part isn’t the fame. It’s the impact. Taymes shared a moment he’ll never forget. A woman battling terminal cancer reached out via social media because her final wish was to meet Dawn. “That touched my heart,” he said. “Seeing people happy, that makes me happy.”

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The state of Rhode Island even issued Dawn a citation for “putting smiles on faces while taking pictures.”

Maybe that’s the simplest explanation for all of this. Taymes was willing to share his pet with the world, and the world embraced her right back.

What’s Next for Dawn?

More books. More community visits. More movies. More moments like the one at Gillette, where a duck somehow brought strangers together for no other reason than joy.

“The sky’s the limit,” Taymes said.

You can follow Dawn on Instagram. Based on her track record, she’ll probably be doing something amazing by the time you hit “follow.”