LEWISTON, Maine — As Lewiston and Edward Little high schools prepare for an emotional "Battle of the Bridge" football game just one week removed from a mass shooting in their community, celebrities and professional athletes are giving them a reason to smile: Will Ferrell, Mac Jones, Rob Gronkowski, and Robert Kraft.
Comedy legend Will Ferrell recorded a hype video for the game, which the Lewiston athletics page shared on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
"Everyone's gonna be watching, everyone's gonna be talking about it," Ferrell said of Wednesday's game. "So let's bring it on. Let's bring it on like it's Donkey Kong."
It's unclear how the video came to be, or what Ferrell's connection to Maine may be. In his Apple TV series "The Shrink," Ferrell once wore a Bangor sweatshirt.
Shortly after, the Lewiston athletics page shared another hype video on X—this time from well-known athlete Rob Gronkowski, who formerly played for the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
"We all know you guys are rivals, and it's going to be a huge game. I just want to say you guys are amazing sticking together to stay strong through these tough times. Hope to see some Gronk spike videos. Play ball. Let's go!" Gronk said in the video Wednesday.
Then, the one and only Mac Jones of the New England Patriots made an appearance. The Lewiston athletics X page shared a video of the NFL quarterback who stated the Lewiston-Auburn community is in his thoughts and prayers.
"I understand that the Twin Cities are coming together tonight for the 'Battle of the Bridge.' Hope everyone has a great game, and my thoughts and prayers are with everybody. Go Pats!" Jones said Wednesday in the video.
Finally, the Lewiston athletics page on X shared a video of support from Robert Kraft, the CEO of the New England Patriots.
"You already are champions. Please know that the New England Patriots are all rooting for you and we love you and you have our compassion very, very much," Kraft said in the video.
The game was scheduled to start at 6 p.m., but school officials are encouraging people to get to the game early — before 5:15 p.m. — as a large crowd is expected. Gates at Lewiston High School open at 4:30 p.m., and the pregame ceremony is expected to begin around 5:40 p.m.
Eighteen people total were killed in shootings at two different Lewiston locations about 4 miles apart from each other Wednesday evening. Seven people were killed at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, formerly Sparetime Recreation, eight were killed at Schemengees Bar and Grille Restaurant, and three died at a nearby hospital.
The Maine Community Foundation has started a Lewiston-Auburn Area Response Fund as a reliable way for individuals and institutional donors to give. President and CEO Deborah Ellwood says money will go to victims' families and the greater Lewiston community.
“Our mission is to bring people and resources together to build a better Maine," she said. "We are exactly doing that.”
Ellwood said the past few days have been anxious and frightening, but she has faith in the Pine Tree State.
“I just think we care about each other," Ellwood said. "It’s beyond Maine. People really love this state and we care about each other. We’ve been shaken."