Brockport High School’s varsity football team welcomed Daniel, “Brockport’s biggest long distance fan,” to the game on Friday, October 11. The 10-year-old from Tampa, Florida, came to Brockport to stay with family as his home was in the path of Hurricane Milton.
Daniel, who has autism, has a keen interest in the sports played by his cousin, Blue Devil Ayden Matthews. Daniel watches every game and knows the players, their numbers and statistics as well as the teams stats and rankings. “These boys are his heroes,” said his aunt, Lesly Matthews. “He’s been to Tampa Bay Bucs games and those are nothing compared to how he feels about being here tonight.”
After cheering on the team on Friday, Daniel was invited to practice on Saturday morning to help the team break down film. He sat quietly, watching and memorizing every play that was filmed. The team also took photos with Daniel and presented him with a signed football, a signed jersey, and a game day jersey.
After his morning with the team, Daniel got in the car and said, “This is the best part of my trip. This is the best day of my life. Did you see they shook my hand? Look at this football! Did you see my jersey? I’m going to wear both of these!”
“These are the moments that matter,” said Lesly Matthews, who admits to holding back tears listening to Daniel’s exuberance. “‘Thank you’ just doesn’t seem to fit this team’s generosity.”
Provided photos
