Brady’s Big Day: Buckeyes and Clippers
I love my job—-truthfully. It’s laughable I get paid to to what I do. But it’s days like Wednesday that make me really appreciate the opportunities this job affords me.
Ohio State invited media members and their families to practice Wednesday afternoon at Ohio Stadium. We had a meal and then had the chance to take family and kids down onto the field and meet Coach Tressel. Obviously it’s a courtesy extended by the university and a very nice gesture. Brady and Tyler had never been in the stadium before this afternoon… and Brady was right home.
Sarah brought the boys down to meet me there and Brady was instantly in heaven. Rocking his #33 Laurinaitis jersey (just like every other kid there! haha) he ran through the stands, studying the bleachers, the players, their strange movements… he even took his first boo-boos on his knees, falling after hurriedly trying to climb stairs (his only tears of the day). We know Brady likes the colors and sounds and actions of live sports, but this was the ultimate for him. Up in the press box he pressed his face against the glass, eager to get closer to his team.
After practice wrapped and I’d finished my interviews, we took Brady and Ty over to meet Coach Tressel and get a photo with him… after a few photos looking the wrong way, Brady turned back and we were all good…
but that wasn’t all.
Wednesday was also Autism Awareness night at the Clippers game. We were asked a few months ago if Brady wanted to throw out the 1st pitch before the game, and knowing full well Brady does not throw or catch just yet, we accepted! I booked over after doing a live shot at Ohio Stadium and got to the Coop just in time to walk out with Brady and get ready for the 1st pitch. Brady gave high fives to my buddies Krash and Louseal, the Clippers’ mascots, and was very curious about the crowd. We walked out and tossed a soft, underhand ball that landed about 20 feet short of home plate—the fans cheered us anyway!
Then we went back to the Autism Awareness both and met dozens of autism families who’d come out for the game. Brady smiled and wiggled around to get free and run—he was so excited he couldn’t contain it!
And one final cute story… as we were leaving a young boy and his mother caught up to us. The mom says her son would like to give Brady his toy—-it was a foam sward with the Clippers logo on it. We were so surprised—-a shy little guy and his mommy—Brady took it and smiled…
I am so thankful that Brady gets to have some of these opportunities—but I’m more impressed and humbled with the way people have opened their hearts to him. Let’s hope someday Big Brady can repay the favor.
-JEROD
