Chad Ochocinco makes one young fan's dream come true
By Doug Farrar
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco(notes), formerly Chad Johnson, may have a slight strain of the diva receiver characteristic, but there's a humanity that has always separated him from the Keyshawns and T.O.s of the world. You get the sense that when he struggles, it's more about finding his way and when he showboats, it's more about entertaining than a driving need to be obnoxious. If anyone doubted the true nature of the man, the video you're about to see, which was shot at the third annual gala fundraiser for the Children Mending Hearts organization in Hollywood, CA, should take care of that.
Nine-year-old Ruben St. Hilaire, Jr, who lives with this mother in a homeless shelter in New York City, received an autographed jersey from Ochocinco after sending a letter. He then sent a second letter that would have melted the heart of the hardest individual.Mr. Johnson, you really make me happy. One of my goals in my future life is to be just like you when I grow up. I wonder who was your role model when you were little? I have three role model(s) in my life that's my mom, Mr. President Barack Obama and my favorite football player Mr. Chad Johnson. To me you are the best football player in the NFL. May God bless you and your family happy holidays.Ruben's dream was to go to a football camp, and that particular prize was donated by Deion Sanders. Presenting the certificate for camp attendance, unbeknownst to Ruben, would be the very same Mr. Ochocinco. Ruben's hero was introduced after the young boy read his letter. Bonus - it was Ruben's birthday! Rich Eisen of the NFL Network set the scene at the podium, and what followed was a pretty great moment.
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shu...urn=nfl,244600
The video is at the link...very cool.
For all his iness Chad is one of the most kind hearted guys in the NFL.
He gets that it's a game and that the game is for fans first.
Ochocinco
A jersey? LOL...he should have got them an apartment or even buy them a small house....what a BS story....wow he signed his name on a jersey...what a joke
Didn't he have a contest where the winner rode around in a huge Madden-like bus with him to do some football related vacation stuff?
That's the key with this dude, he knows it's entertainment and doesn't put himself up on a pedestal as some sort of football god not to be bothered by "ordinary" people the way guys like Emmitt Smith do. He's a goofy cat who has fun with the fans.
+1 That happens ALL THE TIME!A jersey? LOL...he should have got them an apartment or even buy them a small house....what a BS story....wow he signed his name on a jersey...what a joke
wow a jersey and going to a bags football camp?
It was the kid's dream to go to football camp...they made that come true...and who knows what else Chad is going to give him. Damn..give the guy a break...a lot of athletes ignore people less fortunate than them...Chad helps them. Talk about being selfish...they give a inch and you want a ing mile. He didn't have to do anything. All the kid did was send him a letter telling Chad he was a role model of his. I can't tell you how many times when I was younger I'd send an athlete a letter saying I liked him..never got from any of them.
He also rents out entire movie theaters and gives tickets away for free. He's always inviting people via Twitter. Once or twice a month he'll post it on there and the location of the movie theater. First, however many people the theater holds, get tickets to see the movie. Pretty cool guy.
No doubt Chad will try to hook them up with a small house, even if it's through Habit for Humanity. You don't send a jersey and camp invite to a kid you know is homeless and pretend like that's enough, Chad knows what's up but we'll prolly never here about it until it later.
The dude does do a lot for his community. I have tons of respect for him.
+1
The dude's a little flaky but he's fun and harmless.
There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
