Boston police officer goes viral for showing off soccer skills at FIFA Fan Fest

A Boston police officer has gone viral on social media for showing off his soccer ball juggling skills to a group of World Cup fans at Boston’s Fan Fest on City Hall Plaza.

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In a video that has quickly spread online, Connor Hardy, a 14-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, juggles a soccer ball in front of an excited crowd Friday night. At the end, the group rushes in towards him, cheering him on for the display.

Hardy told reporters at the FIFA Fan Fest on Saturday he’s had some practice. He played soccer in high school and at Saint Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

“I had a little background,” he joked, while standing inside the FIFA Fan Fest on Saturday.

Hardy said he decided to join a crowd of American and Scottish fans playing soccer together. The group was getting “revved up” for the match later in the day between Scotland and Haiti, he said.

“When I went over there, I think they originally thought I was gonna steal the ball and be the fun police,” he said. “I actually just kind of did my thing with them, and it was fun, and it turned out funny.”

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Hardy said he never expected to go viral. The video of him showing off his juggling skills before getting swarmed by fans has garnered millions of views on social media. A Barstool Sports post featuring the video had racked up more than half a million views alone.

“Never something I thought would happen,” he said. “It’s all good fun though — it’s great, the World Cup here in Boston.”

The Boston Police Department celebrated the interaction.

“Community policing looks a bit different when the @FIFAWorldCup is in town! Our officers celebrated alongside fans, both international and local, during Day 1 of @FWC26Boston Fan Fest on City Hall Plaza!” the police department said in a social media post of the video.

The video took off online during the first weekend of FIFA World Cup games in Boston. Thousands of fans are expected to pack Boston Stadium in Foxborough for Scotland’s 9 p.m. matchup against Haiti.

Those who can’t make the game have a chance to watch it for free at the City Hall Plaza Fan Fest.

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