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Sports are often used as a crutch. Many people either watch or play sports to escape the rigors and stresses of daily life, but sometimes it’s necessary to step outside the comfort of the sporting world.
Nine members of the ASU football team did just that, spending Tuesday morning volunteering at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
“It keeps things in perspective,” junior quarterback Brock Osweiler said. “You completely forget about (football). Those are the small things in life. When you see kids in here, who are going through such struggles on a daily basis, put on a smile and laugh and have a good time, it really brings a lot of joy to your heart and gives you a good feeling.”
Many experience Osweiler’s leadership on the football field, but the first-year starter possesses those same qualities in his daily life. He began conversations with the children, colored and helped a child who was in the middle of a computer game, along with redshirt senior offensive lineman Garth Gerhart, freshman quarterback Mike Bercovici, redshirt senior long snapper Cameron Kastl and redshirt freshman placekicker Parker Flynn.
Just as Osweiler needs his teammates on Saturdays, he relied on the children as well. Yeira Hernandez, 8, reminded Osweiler to capitalize the first letter of a sentence when he incorrectly wrote “where is the dog?” and Logan Sinclair, 5, helped the quarterback find an orange crayon as they colored a pumpkin together.
Sinclair, a kindergarten student, had a brain tumor removed and is going through chemotherapy, but has not experienced a change in his joyful, outgoing personality. Although confined to a wheelchair, Sinclair was able to show off his strength and flex his muscles.
“Logan had some guns,” Osweiler said. “It’s really hard to explain the feeling you can get coming to a place like this. To get the reaction that we have out of the kids so far, it’s a very special thing. I’m just blessed and fortunate that I get to do this.”
Logan’s mom, Jennifer, also touched on the strength of her son.
“He’s been through it all and he just goes through it with a smile and we give it all to God because he’s the one who’s gotten us through this whole situation,” she said while attempting to hold back tears. “For a four year old to go through cancer and radiation and all that stuff, it’s just amazing.”
Sinclair wore an ASU hat even though he was unaware he would be meeting the players Tuesday. Upon hearing the news the child became exuberant and was in a rush to meet them.
“They’re huge moments,” Jennifer said of the player’s willingness to visit the hospital. “It means a lot to us. It just makes him hopeful that one day he can be on the field playing football one day. It’s just a great experience. I just can’t tell you how amazing my son is.”
The kids certainly enjoyed their time with the football players, but the players had a great, if not better, time with the kids and used it as a learning experience.
“I’m just excited that I came,” senior linebacker Brandon Magee said. “To see the kids and what they’re going through puts my life in a whole different perspective. It makes me stronger just seeing five kids. I can’t wait to go home and change my lifestyle and start being happy every single day.”
While the day was memorable and many images stuck out, Magee said what he would remember most was the attitude of the children who were smiling and upbeat despite their inability to do some of the most mundane and basic tasks.
Magee said people often fail to realize what they have and that those who are often angry and mad at the world don’t appreciate the little things they have, that these kids do not.
Magee spent most of his time at the hospital with redshirt senior linemen Adam Tello, Aderious Simmons and Dan Knapp, going from room to room visiting patients.
Although this visit was limited to nine ASU football players, Magee believes everyone should try to visit the hospital and take part in the humbling experience.
“I think everybody that didn’t come, they should find a way to come and find out what is really going on because it will teach you a lot of things,” Magee said. “These guys are the most positive people I have ever seen and they are going through a lot of stuff. It’s real nice to see.”
Reach the reporter at william.boor@asu.edu Click here to subscribe to the daily State Press newsletter.
