Actress Holly Robinson Peete has a vested interest in cheering the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory in the 2025 World Series. The longtime Hallmark star has four kids with her husband, former NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, including their 28-year-old son RJ, who is on the autism spectrum and works as a beloved clubhouse attendant for the team, which is playing the Toronto Blue Jays for the championship ring.
On October 29, Holly celebrated on social media that RJ would be featured on FOX Sports’ pre-game show ahead of Game 5, writing, “We are beyond honored and humbled that @mlbonfox will air a segment on our son RJ’s inspirational #autism journey. 🙏🏽🥹”
Holly continued, “From an ASD diagnosis at age three — when we were told there would be so many “nevers,” including that he would NEVER have ‘meaningful employment’ — to now wrapping up his 10th season as a Dodgers clubhouse attendant, working his fifth World Series, RJ’s story is a testament to perseverance, the importance of inclusion and redefining possibilities.🙏🏽”
Holly Robinson Peete Says Her Son Fills the Dodgers Clubhouse With ‘Infectious Positive Energy’
Holly is one of Hollywood’s most vocal advocates for families impacted by autism. She was one of the first celebrity parents to speak openly and raise awareness about the condition as RJ was growing up, including featuring his challenges and accomplishments on her family’s Hallmark Channel reality show, “Meet the Peetes,” in 2018 and 2019.
In her October 29 post about RJ working his fifth World Series, the proud mama wrote, “At 28, he is the most humble, genuine young man — dedicated to making sure every player is taken care of and filling the clubhouse with his infectious positive energy.”
The “Hats Off to Love” actress continued, “A huge shout-out to the @dodgers for hiring inclusively and giving him purpose and the chance to self advocate and shine. 💙⚾️ With opportunity, support, belief and ACCESS to effective interventions, young people with ASD can thrive — and become truly extraordinary employees and valued human beings. NEVER let anyone limit your child’s potential. 💪🏽💙”
Fans flooded Holly’s post with celebratory comments and words of thanks, including one mom who wrote, “You’re one of the first mom’s I looked up to when we received my son’s diagnosis and it gave me hope watching your son persevering through all the naysayers. Thank you for giving me that hope when I’ve been told will never talk or be independent.”
Dodgers Consider RJ Peete is a Valued Member of the Team
GettyIn 2023, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told the Los Angeles Times, “Like I tell Rodney and Holly, as much as they feel we’ve done for RJ, it’s been exponentially better for us. “I couldn’t have imagined that initially. He’s great at his job, his heart is gold and he’s enhanced our clubhouse.”
In his job as one of eight “clubbies,” RJ works a long day before each game, making sure the players have everything they need and even encouraging them with high-fives and hugs.
RJ has been a clubhouse attendant with the team since 2016, and told the LA Times, “Everybody here has my back and they are always here for me no matter what. These are the best friends I’ve ever had. I love these guys and I love being around these guys. I look up to them.”
Holly and Rodney attend as many games as they can and, she told the paper, “I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bulldozed myself to the railing outside the dugout to video him high-fiving those guys and hugging them out. It’s such a gratifying moment.”
Specialists Gave Holly Robinson Peete & Rodney Peete a ‘List of Nevers’ When Son RJ Was Diagnosed With Autism
GettyIn April, Holly told CNN’s Jake Tapper that when RJ was first diagnosed with autism, “We were given a list of ‘nevers’ — he would never say ‘I love you,’ he would never mainstream in school, he would never play team sports … never do so many things, never have meaningful employment. And so we call that the ‘Never Day.'”
RJ has accomplished so many of the “nevers” on that list, including moving into his own apartment in May, Holly told EntertainmentNow.
The decision to find RJ a place where he could live independently, she said, came after he was “driving home from Dodger Stadium at one or two in the morning,” which had become a regular occurrence given his long hours working for the team.
“It was stressful for him, and I was nervous he would get stopped by the police, or get in an accident,” she told EntertainmentNow, noting that she’d often wait up late to make sure he got home safely. “So one night, he was really struggling, and I made him pull over so he could just rest. And it just hit me like a ton of bricks. I said, ‘Okay, that’s it.’ And the next day, I started looking for apartments for him.”
Holly found an apartment in a supportive community for RJ located minutes from the ballpark, she said, and quickly got to work setting up everything in the space for him, from furniture to cooking utensils. Not that she expects him to do much cooking, laughing that he’s an “Uber eater” and would likely order most of his meals.
Holly admitted it was “exhausting” to manage the transition with RJ, but added, “It’s a great building and it’s a really nurturing environment over there.”
Happy and touched by the segment on pregame show. What a wonderful inspiration to so many who might be limited by labels. RJ is an inspiration! The Dodgers are lucky to have RJ, and he is lucky to know so many supportive men in the Dodger clubhouse.
I remember Holly very well when her husband played in Philadelphia. She was really the first activist who spoke openly and positively for the Autism Spectrum. As a retired nurse I remember when these children were mainly just like she said a list of Nevers. My friend had her baby in 2003 who was diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum and she got to meet Holly at one of the Autism meetings. She said you only had to watch her face as she spoke to know this lady was going to make sure changes happened for these children.
I consider Holly a real lady. Wish she was on Hallmark more.