Jimbo Fisher on Travis Rudolph/middle school picture: “We got a call from their principal who said it was the best day she's ever had there"
— Matt Fortuna (@Matt_Fortuna) August 31, 2016
Best thing you’ll see today.
Meet Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State University, who along with some of his teammates visited with students at a local middle school earlier in the week.
Travis spotted one student, identified as Bo Paske who is autistic, eating alone and someone at the school snapped a photo after the FSU star sat down for a lunchtime chat…
"He told me his name was Bo, how much he loves Florida State. And we went from there.” https://t.co/b9SJ5SjSHq
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 31, 2016
…That photo made it’s way to Bo’s mom, who then posted it to Facebook where it went viral, along with this heartfelt message thanking Travis for taking the time to eat with her son:
Several times lately I have tried to remember my time in middle school, did I like all my teachers, do I even remember them? Did I have many friends? Did I sit with anyone at lunch? Just how mean were kids really? I remember one kid on the bus called me “Tammy Fay Baker” bc I started awkwardly wearing eye liner in the sixth grade, I remember being tough and calling him a silly name back, but when he couldn’t see me anymore I cried. I do remember middle school being scary, and hard. Now that I have a child starting middle school, I have feelings of anxiety for him, and they can be overwhelming if I let them. Sometimes I’m grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him. He doesn’t seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn’t seem to notice that he doesn’t get invited to birthday parties anymore. And he doesn’t seem to mind if he eats lunch alone. It’s one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today? Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it’s nobody. Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn’t seem to mind. He is a super sweet child, who always has a smile and hug for everyone he meets. A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption “Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son” I replied “who is that?” He said “FSU football player”, then I had tears streaming down my face. Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my sons school today. I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten. This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life! #travisrudolph#gonoles #FSU #autismmom #fansforlife
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Travis called meeting young Bo a “blessing”:
.@TravisRudolph5: "To see this happen is just a blessing for him and me." pic.twitter.com/pfhrIA3MmR
— FSU Football (@FSUFootball) August 31, 2016
Faith in college sports, restored:
I say this as an orange-and-green-bleeding Hurricane: Travis Rudolph transcended sport here.
— Marc Caputo (@MarcACaputo) August 31, 2016
FSU's Travis Rudolph ??????????
— LZ Granderson (@LZGranderson) August 31, 2016
Big ups Travis Rudolph. ???
— Adam Silverstein (@SilversteinAdam) August 31, 2016
And this. Much, much more of this ==>
https://twitter.com/Ria_Martin/status/770852745536540672
Athletes should be more like Travis Rudolph and less like Colin Kaepernick. https://t.co/La2ehdt50c
— California Patriot (@rightchicknb) August 31, 2016
Enough of Colin Kaepernick, more of Travis Rudolph. Actually out there making a difference
— Kel (@keljeanneee) August 31, 2016
More Travis Rudolph. Less Colin Kaepernick.
— Steve Cono (@SteveCono) August 31, 2016
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