Moose Jaw The second day of Arizona State’s bowl-game trip to Las Vegas started off with a visit to the Sunrise Children’s Hospital. ASU linebacker Brandon Magee, receiver T.J. Simpson and senior Omar Bolden were the three players who attended.
With the holidays approaching, it was great to see college football players touching the lives of those in need. Simpson, a senior who has participated in charitable events before, told me, “I love kids, and I’m really excited to see the kids faces when we walk in.”
The look on the children’s faces when the players entered the rooms was one of joy and surprise. None of them could stop smiling. One of the patients, a boy named Jay, was thrilled that there players coming to visit him.
“It’s nice to know that people care about someone who is stuck in the hospital for Christmas,” Jay told me.
Not only did the players pass out Mickey Mouse stuffed animals and autographed posters, but they also had a special message that they delivered through “positive living” bracelets to the children. Omar Bolden explained, “It’s our way to spread positive energy. Positive things happen to positive people, and we try our best to spread that to the children here, and hopefully they can catch on.”
Not only was it a special day for the children, but it was also a special day for Bolden, who was celebrating his 23rd birthday. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend his day then with these kids.
Jay mentioned that he is definitely going to be rooting for ASU in the game against Boise State on Thursday. We also shared a laugh together when he said he was going to keep the bracelet that the players gave him on his wrist forever and ever.
This hospital visit made me realize not only how much the children enjoyed talking to their heroes but that the players benefited equally from the experience.
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