Watch This: In A Thoughtful Gesture, Jalen Hurts Surprises Family Whose 7-Year-Old Son Is Battling Cancer With $30,000 Check For New Home
In what was such a trying time for so many in 2020, there were also so many bright spots and stories that can uplift, inspire, encourage, and realize that it’s not all about us but also looking out for each other, especially in times of need.
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It’s what Eagles rookie quarterback Jalen Hurts wanted to do during the Christmas season, giving back to the community.
Liz Scott, Alex’s Lemonade Stand For Childhood Cancer Foundation co-executive director, said Hurts actually reached out to the foundation “to see if there was a way he could get involved with Alex’s Lemonade Stand and make a difference”.
They connected Hurts with a family. A special family who Scott says the oldest child, seven-year-old Erick, is battling cancer. The family, per Scott, also has four younger children and was living in a two-bedroom trailer.
Enter Hurts.
Scott said that “(Hurts) wanted to make their Christmas wishes come true”.
“Really blessed to do this, so excited to meet this family,” Hurts said per Alex’s Lemonade Stand. “I reached out, I’ve always wanted to work with Alex’s Lemonade Stand. I’ve had the opportunity as of lately doing the My Cleats My Cause, wearing those cleats vs. the Green Bay Packers where I threw my first NFL touchdown, and now being able to bless a family during the holiday season.”
“We’re here and I want to hear their story,” Hurts said. “Erick, his mom, I know they’ve experienced a lot of adversity. They had to deal with a lot of different things but one thing I like to do is be encouraging at all times, uplift those around me, and I just wanted to make an impact in the city of Philadelphia, in this area. So we’re in Nottingham, and I can’t wait to go in there and meet him. We’re going to surprise with something real nice so y’all just wait and see.”
Seven-year-old Erick told Jalen: “I was actually making you something.”
Hurts entered the home and Erick gave him that gift he made for the quarterback.
“Go Jalen, huh?” Hurts said, reading what Erick wrote him. “Go Erik, how about that. I appreciate you, man. Thank you so much. You want to play catch?”
Hurts and Erick played some catch outside Erick’s home. Sign Erick up to be the next Eagles receiver! I mean, hey, the Eagles quarterback and Erick are already talking about a NFL practice.
“Practice would be fun,” Hurts said. “I know the guys would like you a lot, too.”
Hurts told 7-year-old Erick: “My teammates, they like people that are strong, they like people that are courageous like yourself, I think you would fit right in.”
Incredible.
What a terrific, thoughtful gesture from a NFL quarterback to give back to this family, realizing how much this family is going through.
But, this is a gift that keeps on giving.
“I know you said you needed some help,” Hurts told the family, surprising them with a $30,000 check for them to use towards a new home. “I felt the least that I could do was do this for you. So this is from me. I’m sending you nothing but love and blessings. Hearing your story, hearing Erick’s story, it touched me, and just wanted to do my part.”
After the wonderful day of giving back and spending time with Erick’s family, Hurts reflected on the day:
“What amazes me is how the kids don’t even realize maybe what they’re dealing with, the circumstances they’re in but they’re just happy to be living,” Hurts said. “The fun things I’ll remember from this day, obviously the reaction, but just spending time with Erick and his siblings, throwing the ball, playing catch outside, signing his jersey, singing the ball, he gave me a nice picture. He (took) time out of his day to draw me a picture, I really appreciate that. I’m going to hang that up in my locker as soon as I get back. I’m happy they’re happy and I’m just praying for nothing but positivity and sending them nothing but blessings moving forward.”
Scott said Hurts made Erick’s dream come true by meeting Hurts.
If you’d like to find out more about Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation or support the organization, you can do so here.
Contents
- 1 Watch This: In A Thoughtful Gesture, Jalen Hurts Surprises Family Whose 7-Year-Old Son Is Battling Cancer With $30,000 Check For New Home
- 2 Hurts told 7-year-old Erick: “My teammates, they like people that are strong, they like people that are courageous like yourself, I think you would fit right in.”
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