Celtics Honor 8-Year-Old Rhode Island Boy for Helping Save His Father’s Life
A courageous 8-year-old Kingston, Rhode Island, resident received a hero’s recognition by the Boston Celtics for helping to save his father’s life.
As ABC6 News reported, the Celtics honored Nova Nascenzi with the team’s Hero Among Us award in a TD Garden ceremony during the Celtics’ Dec. 31, 2024, home game against the Toronto Raptors.
Nova sprung into action by calling 9-1-1 after his father, Ben, fell off the roof of his family’s house while making a repair.
Nova heard his family dog barking uncontrollably, which led him outdoors, where he discovered his dad lying on the ground unconscious and bleeding from his head. After calling emergency services, Nova stayed by his father’s side while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.
Thanks to Nova’s quick actions, his father received medical attention, which included receiving nine staples placed in his head and treatment for several broken ribs and a partially collapsed lung. He has made a full recovery.
Nova’s mother, Allie, credits the discussions she and her husband had with her son about what to do during an emergency.
“We do talk about it here and there, but you also don’t want to freak your child out, so it’s a fine line,” she told NBC 10 News (WJAR-TV) in an interview. “But now I recognize how important those talks were.”
“It’s so far above being proud of him… I mean, he’s a hero,” Ben said.
