Holly Robinson Peete opens up about son Rodney Peete Jr.’s autism and job with the Dodgers

Holly Robinson Peete and her husband Rodney Peete, 57, hosted the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala on Thursday.

It was a family affair as the Hanging with Mr. Cooper alum, 58, and the retired football player’s son Rodney Peete, Jr., 25, works for the baseball team.

‘The fact that they employed my son, they hired inclusively, a young man with autism that they gave a chance and he’s been here eight years. It’s been a godsend,’ Holly told People . ‘So I love this team with my whole heart.’

‘He didn’t have friends growing up. He has just a whole family around him, outside of his immediate family who supports him,’ she continued.

‘And he’s like an ambassador here, you know, like he’s Mr. Roarke of Dodger Stadium,’ she said, referring to the Fantasy Island character.

Family: Holly center with her husband, left, and her son, right, in 2019

Holly continued: ‘Then beyond that, what they do off the field and how they contribute, getting back to the community to walk the walk. For me, I love this team from A to Z.’

The proud parents even got a behind-the-scenes tour of the iconic stadium courtesy of their son RJ and his security badge before taking in Usher’s performance.

‘It is really about family,’ Peete told People. ‘When you come to Dodger Stadium, it’s a family atmosphere. They do the same thing when they go into the community.’

She added: ‘And it’s probably not often enough do you hear about what the Dodgers do in the community. And that’s why nights like this are so important.’

Holly and Rodney are also parents to RJ’s twin sister Ryan and sons Robinson, 20 and Roman, 17. 

Holly has been in the spotlight since she first appeared alongside her father, Matthew Robinson on Sesame Street. Her dad played Gordon on the children’s television show.

Holly credits her 54 year career to a simple manta: Be nice. 

‘If you’re not nice to people, they remember,’ Peete told Shondaland, ‘and it really shortens your shelf life in this business.’

Family affair: It was a family affair as the Hanging with Mr. Cooper alum , 58, and the retired football player’s son Rodney Peete, Jr., 25, works for the baseball team

Dodger blue: ‘The fact that they employed my son, they hired inclusively, a young man with autism that they gave a chance and he’s been here eight years. It’s been a godsend,’ Holly told People 

Proud people: ‘So I love this team with my whole heart.’ ‘He didn’t have friends growing up. He has just a whole family around him, outside of his immediate family who supports him,’ she continued

Brimming with pride: ‘And he’s like an ambassador here, you know, like he’s Mr. Roarke of Dodger Stadium,’ she said, referring to the Fantasy Island character

The Masked Singer alum has been married to the retired quarterback since 1995. She credits the staying power of her relationship to one habit the couple has: a 20-second hug.

‘It’s very simple,’ she explained. ‘If we’re going at each other, either one of us has the right to demand a 20-second hug.’

‘No matter how mad you are, you have to stop and hug the other person for 20 whole seconds.’ the 21 Jump Street alum continued, noting that the first few seconds are uncomfortable. 

‘By the time you get to 15, 16, 17, there’s something pheromonal that happens. You melt and forget why you were arguing. It just takes the drama out of it.’