Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Freddie Freeman recently found himself on the receiving end of some playful, full-hearted Canadian chirping, all for an excellent cause. The first baseman participated in actor Ryan Reynolds' annual Ugly Christmas Sweater fundraising video for the Toronto SickKids Foundation, where a group of young patient ambassadors from the hospital delivered hilarious, mock-indignant barbs at the baseball star.
A Hilarious Dose of Canadian Humour for Charity
The video, produced by Reynolds' Maximum Effort company, features Freeman entering a hospital room to meet the children. He is immediately greeted with classic, good-natured Canadian taunts. "What a loser," says the first child, setting the tone. When Freeman introduces himself, another quips, "Trust me man, we know who you are." The roasting continues with, "You really got some nerve coming here," before one delivers the iconic line: "Go back to your sunshine and traffic, you hoser."
Despite the on-screen ribbing, which was all in good fun, families on set reported that Freeman was incredibly generous with his time. He made the experience special for the young Blue Jays fans, even as they wore Jays gear and poked fun at the player whose team defeated Toronto in a heartbreaking seven-game World Series just weeks earlier.
Freeman's Canadian Roots and Charitable Spirit
Freeman, a dual citizen eligible to play for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, has long had a connection to the country. His parents were both born and raised in Canada—his mother in the Toronto area and his father in Windsor. He has represented Canada in the WBC in 2017 and 2023 and is expected to do so again next year.
Prior to the World Series in October, Freeman acknowledged the unique dynamic, saying, "I'm not so sure the Canadian fans, Blue Jays fans, will be cheering for me this time around... But it is special... Every time I go there I always get this little envelope in my locker and it's always like pictures of a third cousin that has found photos in their garage. I love going back to Toronto." This personal connection made him a perfect fit for Reynolds' charitable initiative.
Seventh Year of Festive Fundraising Success
Ryan Reynolds' festive video campaign is now in its seventh year and serves as a key component of the SickKids Foundation's holiday fundraising drive. For the latest production, a selection of SickKids patient ambassadors and a nurse flew to Los Angeles to film with Freeman and the Maximum Effort team.
The goal of these viral videos is twofold: to create a thrilling experience for the participating children and to inspire public donations for the renowned hospital. The 2025 edition, featuring Freeman's good sportsmanship and the kids' hilarious timing, is likely to resonate strongly with sports fans across Canada, even those still nursing World Series wounds.
In the video, Freeman tries to win over the room, saying, "By the way, I love what you guys are doing here." This prompts a raucous 'Let's Go Blue Jays' chant and one final, perfect zinger from a young fan: "Do you even lift, 'bro?" The segment solidifies Freddie Freeman not only as a World Series champion but as an all-around good sport for a worthy cause.
