Eli Griffith, a 16-year-old from Ann Arbor, Michigan, had his wish granted when he met Tom Brady through Make-A-Wish. Eli, a huge Brady fan, had undergone a heart transplant in 2024 due to a rare genetic mutation. He had always been a fan of Brady, who played for the University of Michigan, where Eli’s parents attended school.

Meeting a Hero

Brady walked into a green room at Fanatics Fest in New York City and introduced himself to Eli. Eli had prepared seven questions and brought seven packs of trading cards to ask Brady while opening them together. The questions ranged from Brady’s favorite ice cream flavor to the defender who struck the most fear in him.

During their meeting, Eli gave Brady a magnet with a picture of him in a hospital bed with Brady cards in his hands and laying across his chest. The message on the magnet thanked Brady for taking the time to meet him and expressed Eli’s gratitude for the support he received from Michigan athletes during his hospital stay.

Eli’s hospital stay was filled with visits from other Michigan athletes, including the starting quarterback Davis Warren, who played a game of HORSE with Eli in the hospital. Eli also received video messages from other athletes, including former Michigan star Charles Woodson and former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh.

Eli’s recovery from the heart transplant was remarkable, and he was back in the stands at a Michigan football game less than a year later. His meeting with Brady was a dream come true, and he was grateful for the opportunity to meet his hero.

Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.