New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon and his wife Anna are grieving the loss of their infant son, Peter James, who was born on September 11. The couple learned at their 20-week anatomy scan that their baby had anencephaly, a fatal condition in which the baby cannot survive outside the womb. Instead of keeping the news private, they chose to share Peter’s story with the world.
In a joint Instagram post, the couple wrote,“Our angel, Peter James Raridon, was born on September 11th.”Anna added that their son’s life was precious and his purpose meaningful, and that it is in our deepest trials that we are drawn closest to their faith. Raridon, 24, starred at Notre Dame before being drafted by New England in the third round of the 2026 NFL draft. He married Anna, his high school sweetheart, in May 2025.
Their post has resonated far beyond football fans, with families who have experienced pregnancy loss sharing their own stories in the comments. If you or someone you love has walked through something similar, you are not alone. What would you want to say to the Raridon family today?
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.