Chris Kirkpatrick of NSYNC talks about his move to Nashville eight years ago, marveling at the city's beauty and welcoming spirit. Despite a broken hand he sustained during a charity softball game, Kirkpatrick remained determined to support Folds of Honor.
On Monday, *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick joined a galaxy of stars for a celebrity softball game in Nashville, Tennessee, hosted by the nonprofit organization Folds of Honor. The event, part of the Rock 'N Jock fundraiser, aimed to support the educational aspirations of families of fallen and disabled service members and first responders.
While Kirkpatrick bravely safeguarded home plate, local radio host Jeremy Loper slid into him, resulting in a painful break in Kirkpatrick's hand. Undeterred, Kirkpatrick persevered through the discomfort, determined not to be sidelined from the game.
"Tell them I think I hurt my hand in the second or third inning and I just didn't want to be pulled from the game," Kirkpatrick recounted to Fox News Digital. "So I tried not to flinch every time I threw the ball back to the pitcher. Plus, the radio guy that ran into me was so nice. I hope he got the end of it."
The heartwarming moment of Kirkpatrick's resilience was captured in a video compilation shared by Loper on social media. The footage shows Loper's collision with Kirkpatrick, followed by Kirkpatrick's swift recovery and apparent congratulations for Loper's run.
In a post-game photo obtained by Fox News Digital, Kirkpatrick proudly displayed his bandaged hand while beaming at the camera. Despite the injury, it was evident that the charity's mission and the camaraderie among the participants eclipsed any physical discomfort.
Kirkpatrick's connection to Nashville extends beyond the softball field. He and his wife have called the city home for eight years, and their affection for it is palpable. "I don't know what took us so long to get here," Kirkpatrick admitted. "We've been here eight years now, and just the town, it's a beautiful town."
Nashville's vibrant atmosphere and welcoming spirit have captivated Kirkpatrick and his family. "I'm talking about the experience," he explained. "I'm talking about, you know, what we get in the whole package that is Nashville."
Their son, Nash, born in Nashville in 2017, embodies their love for the city. "His name is Nash, of all things," Kirkpatrick laughed. "And, you know, he really loves the town. I think sometimes he gets upset with my wife and I when he knows that we lived in Orlando, right by Disney World. And here I'm like, 'Yeah, but if we would have stayed, maybe your name would have been Oral.'"
Kirkpatrick emphasized that even if Nashville had its flaws, "it would still be an amazing town because of the people. But it’s [not], you know. It's got all this other great stuff to it. And the people here are just unbelievable."
He recalled his initial disbelief at the friendliness of Nashvillians, reminiscent of his "MTV days getting 'Punk'd' when we used to come up here and visit and hang out with friends. We're like, 'Why is everyone so nice?'"
Kirkpatrick and his wife pride themselves on being "nice" people, but they have not always encountered this level of warmth in other places they have lived. He expressed his gratitude for the extraordinary community he and his family have found in Nashville.
Fox News Digital's Brie Stimson contributed to this report.
