Tom Brady fulfilled a 12-year-old Make-A-Wish boy’s dream by surprising him at a Fanatics event in New York City on Friday.
Miami native Chris Sanchez met the 47-year-old quarterback, whom he considers his hero, at Fanatics Fest through arrangements made by the nonprofit, and even received a few passes from the future Hall of Famer.
He is battling an unspecified type of cancer.
“I think I’ve been fortunate to be a part of Make-A-Wish for a long time and it’s great to get to know the families,” Brady said. Fox News‘Kids are going through a lot and I think this helps everyone keep a lot of things in perspective.
‘Just seeing the joy on the faces of the children and the parents, sometimes they have been dealt a tough hand, but it’s great to see their joy and happiness, especially on a cool day to bring everyone here.
Tom Brady provided a life-changing experience for a Make-A-Wish child in New York City on Friday
The 12-year-old had the opportunity to ask the former quarterback, ‘What do you do when you’re a backup?’
“All the sports fans from around the world come here, a lot of athletes. We’re trying to create something really unique and special for the fan experience, for sure.”
Brady also talked about the advice he offered to Sanchez, who asked him a very specific question that the seven-time Super Bowl champion probably wasn’t expecting.
“He actually asked me, ‘What do you do when you’re the bench? And how do you still help the team as a bench player?'” Brady said.
The former Patriots and Bucs player explained to Sanchez, who signed his own trading card for his hero: ‘When you’re a backup and you’re not in the position you want to be, that could motivate you and inspire you to do better, or it can be very disappointing and sad.
In addition to Brady, former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski and Red Sox slugger David Ortiz were also at Fanatics Fest in the Big Apple.
Brady noted that “everything affects you differently as a parent” as a father of three himself.
“If it’s disappointing and sad, and it doesn’t force you to try harder, then it’s negative. If you use it to learn, it’s positive.
“We all face challenges and adversities. Personally, all families and children face challenges, but they also have goals and dreams that they want to achieve. I just want to try to help them achieve that.”
Brady then noted that “everything affects you differently as a parent” being a father of three himself. He also understands the impact of having to talk to kids as he tries to be a good influence on them, something he wants his kids to learn from him.
Sanchez also spent time with former Boston Red Sox slugger David Ortiz, while Brady’s former Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski was also at Fanatics Fest.