Eli Griffith, a 14-year-old heart transplant recipient, met his idol Tom Brady at Fanatics Fest in Manhattan. Eli, who is from Michigan, was diagnosed with a rare genetic mutation that required a heart transplant at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor.
A Dream Come True
Brady, who played for the University of Michigan, was inspired by Eli’s story and spent quality time with him and his family. The family had been waiting all day to meet Brady, and Eli was nervous but excited. Brady said that Eli’s story serves as inspiration for him and that he loves being able to impact people’s lives in a positive way.
The Michigan football team also stepped up to support Eli during his hospital stay, with players visiting him and sending messages. Eli’s family said that the team’s support kept their spirits high during a difficult time.
At Fanatics Fest, Brady and Eli had a chance to talk and even threw out trading card packs together. Brady also dunked one of his favorite teammates, Rob Gronkowski, in a dunk tank filled with Raising Cane’s sauce.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
