( CNN ) -- Saturday night could have been a moment for Sam Berns to celebrate -- standing in the middle of Gillette Stadium , flanked by some of his beloved New England Patriots , and no doubt cheered heartily by the nearly 70,000 fans surrounding him . But it was n't to be . Instead of having Berns as an honorary captain in their NFL playoff with the Indianapolis Colts , the Patriots held a moment of silence for the young man who inspired them and many others as he lived with progeria , which causes premature , accelerated aging . `` Do it for Sammy ! '' one man yelled , piercing the quiet , in video of the ceremony on Boston.com . Berns died Friday evening due to complications from the rare genetic disease , according to the Progeria Research Foundation . He was 17 . `` I loved Sam Berns and am richer for having known him , '' Patriots owner Robert Kraft said . `` He was a special young man whose inspirational story and positive outlook on life touched my heart . '' Advances in kids ' early aging disease . Kraft , one of the most well-respected owners in his sport , was n't Berns ' only fan . Far from it . Part of it had to do with his part in the HBO documentary , `` Life According to Sam , '' which documented his living with what is formally called Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome . He spoke at a TEDx conference in October 2013 about his disease . More than anything , Sam lived . A student at Foxborough High School -- in his and the Patriots ' hometown -- he joined the marching band , playing a specially designed snare drum . He did n't let the fact that he weighed all of 50 pounds or that the average life span of someone with progeria is 13 years discourage him . He attended his school 's homecoming dance . And above all , he kept his head up . `` Even though I have many obstacles in my life , I do n't want people to feel bad for me , '' Berns said in that TedX talk . Progeria affects approximately one in every 4 million to 8 million infants ; there are only about 200 children living with it worldwide . The genetic mutation tied to it causes those with the disease to produce the protein progerin , which blocks normal cell function . As they age rapidly , these children suffer from a loss of body fat and hair and an inability to gain weight . They are prone to developing osteoporosis , a disease where bones become weak and are more likely to break . `` All in all , I do n't waste energy feeling bad for myself , '' Berns said . `` I surround myself with people that I want to be with . And I keep moving forward . '' That attitude influenced many , regular folks and celebrities . Those tweeting their condolences included Katie Couric , ESPN columnist Rick Reilly and many Boston-area athletes . `` The warrior , Sam Berns passed away today , '' tweeted the Boston Bruins ' Brad Marchand . `` He was an inspiration to everyone . You will be missed greatly . `` Fly High . ''
Sam also had progeria , which is premature , accelerated aging . He was the subject of the HBO documentary ` ` Life According to Sam '' Berns died a day before he was to be the Patriots ' honorary president . ` ` I loved Sam Berns and am richer for having known him , '' Patriot ' says .