Red Sox, Eagles Honor 'Ice Bucket Challenge' Inspiration In Exhibition Game

The Boston Red Sox and Boston College Eagles will both wear special jerseys honoring "Ice Bucket Challenge" inspiration and former BC baseball captain Pete Frates when they play in an exhibition game Tuesday in Fort Myers, Fla.

Every Eagles player will wear the No. 3 and the name "Frates" on their jerseys. The uniforms will be replicas of the ones Boston College wore in 2007, which was the year Frates was a senior and captain of the team.

In 2012, Frates was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease. Last summer, he became internationally known through the "Ice Bucket Challenge," a social media fundraiser which brought in more than $200 million for ALS charities.

Boston College head coach Mike Gambino said his players are thrilled with the decision to wear jerseys to honor Frates.

"Even before we told them and told Pete, it got leaked out somewhere," Gambino said. "The boys heard it through Twitter and went nuts. They love the idea."

Frates spent several years as Boston College's director of baseball operations and remains close to the team.

"These boys, they're so close to Pete. They're in contact with him every day," Gambino said. "Every day after practice, after games, on the bus: they're talking to him through Facebook, sending him videos, and giving him updates on the team."

The Red Sox will all wear jerseys with the No. 3 in Frates' honor. After the game, both the Red Sox and Eagles jerseys will be auctioned off to raise money for ALS charities.