2021's Celebrity Sightings In Massachusetts: Year In Review

MASSACHUSETTS — From gold-medal winning gymnasts to six-time Super Bowl winning coaches, Massachusetts has its fair share of locally-grown celebrities. And they were once again making news in 2021.

Here's a recap of some of the most notable celebrity stories to emerge from the Bay State in 2021.

Thanks, but I already have six Super Bowl rings

Five days after the Capitol Hill riot, New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick said he would not accept the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Donald Trump, calling the offer flattering but citing American values in turning the president down. Belichick said talking about social justice with members of the Patriots contributed to his decision.

"I know I also represent my family and the New England Patriots team," he said. "One of the most rewarding things in my professional career took place in 2020 when, through the great leadership within our team, conversations about social justice, equality and human rights moved to the forefront and became actions. Continuing those efforts while remaining true to the people, team and country I love outweigh the benefits of any individual award."

The Presidential Medal of Freedom is the country's highest civilian honor. Belichick, who has shared a long friendship with Trump, was pressured to decline the offer in the aftermath of the deadly riots.

Popular Kiss 108 deejay walks off the air

Matt Siegel, one of the most successful deejays in Boston's radio-rich history, walked off the air in May, saying he was quitting his long-running "Matty In The Morning" show. Siegel was complaining on air that he had been told to stop making jokes about Demi Lovato's new non-binary status.

"I am the biggest of all time and they said, 'Shut Up Matt, stop talking,'" Siegel, 71, said. "Well I hope you're happy, because I just stopped talking. Matty out."

In the end, though, Siegel's tantrum was more about grabbing ratings than taking a stand against cancel culture. He was back on the air one day later.

"I had long, long conversations yesterday with the company, and the company said, 'Listen, man, do your thing. We'll get out of your way,'" Siegel, of Newton, said. "I didn't expect that and, so, I'm back."

Needham's Aly Raisman testifies before Congressional committee

Olympic gymnast and Needham native Aly Raisman made headlines twice in 2021. In September, she told the Senate Judiciary Committee she was "disgusted" by the FBI's handling of its investigation of doctor Larry Nassar.

"It was like serving innocent children up to a pedophile on a silver platter," Raisman said of Nassar, who is serving 40 to 175 years in prison after more than 160 women came forward and accused him of sexually abusing them under the pretense of receiving medical treatment.

On a happier note, Raisman reported in July that two Good Samaritans named Carla and Gayle found and returned Mylo, her dog. The 27-year-old gold medalist was watching a fireworks show in Boston on July 3 when Mylo bolted.

Presidential paradise

The current and a former occupant of the Oval Office spent time on Nantucket this year. Celebrities like John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Stephen Colbert and Beyoncé flocked to the island in August to attend Barack Obama's scaled back 60th birthday celebration.

The president initially planned to host some 500 guests and 200 staff members at his $12 million mansion on the island. But the guest list was cut down following criticism and a rapid rise in coronavirus cases and a cluster of breakthrough cases in Provincetown in the weeks leading up to the party.

In November, President Joe Biden continued a decades-long family tradition of spending Thanksgiving on Nantucket. Biden and his family spent Thanksgiving last year in Delaware during the pandemic

"A year ago, we were heading into a Thanksgiving where public health were — experts were advising against traveling or gathering with family and friends," he said. "Last Thanksgiving, for the first time, it was just four of us — my wife and I, our daughter and her — and my son-in-law. Later this month, our tables and our hearts are going to be filled, thanks to the vaccines."

'You Will Be Loved Forever

Bruins star David Pastrnak revealed he and his wife lost their infant son in June. Viggo Rohl Pastrnak was just six days old when he died on June 23.

"We have an Angel watching over us and we call him SON," Pastrnak wrote in a brief Instagram post. "You will be loved FOREVER. Please respect our privacy as we are going through these heartbreaking times."

Two Batmans Are Better Than One

Ambitious film buffs throughout Massachusetts were able to catch a glimpse of former Caped Crusaders George Clooney and Ben Affleck at several spots in Eastern Mass. this spring as they shot scenes for "The Tender Bar."

Scenes of the bar itself — called "The Dickens Bar" in the movie — were filmed at Jacob's Bar & Grill on Rantoul Street in Beverly in March.

The movie was also filmed on location in Ashby, Fitchburg, Wakefield and Watertown, among other locations across the state.

The Clooney-directed film starring Affleck is currently in a limited run in theaters and will be available on Amazon Prime next month.

More Year In Review Coverage On Patch:

• The Top 5 Massachusetts News Stories Of 2021
• The Top Massachusetts Business Stories Of 2021: Year In Review
• The Oddest, Funniest Massachusetts Stories Of 2021
• Notable Massachusetts Deaths In 2021