Ten-year-old Brady Lucas wore his personalized Penn State football shirt while cradling his team-autographed football Saturday.
Lucas, a Four Diamonds child, got the opportunity to socialize with Penn State football players he had previously only seen on TV or from the bleachers in Beaver Stadium under the auspices of the Penn State Thon Wish Program.
As part of the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, Nittany Lions linebacker Sean Lee, wide receiver Deon Butler, cornerback A.J. Wallace and running back Evan Royster were among the more than 30 players who volunteered their Saturday afternoon to give tours of the Lasch Football Building for the Thon kids and their families.
"This is probably the highlight of his 10-year-old life," Brady's mother, Lisa, said.
Brady slowly trudged behind Lee and Wallace, speechless from the sights surrounding him, such as the 2008 Alamo Bowl trophy and a replica of John Cappelletti's 1973 Heisman Trophy. Lisa had nothing but praise for Lee and Wallace, expressing the utmost respect and appreciation for their tour guides.
"It's great to give back; the kids are an inspiration to us," Lee said.
"The whole Thon weekend was an inspiration. All the money being raised, all the kids staying up for 46 hours, it's an inspiration to us to see how lucky we are and what we have," he added.
The program began with the players filing into the team's meeting room -- dressed in their white away jerseys -- introducing themselves and showing a short highlight clip of the 2007 season.
The families were assigned to two players and could roam into any room in the building, including film rooms, the weight room, the player lounge and coach Joe Paterno's office.
Priceless pieces of Penn State football memorabilia surrounded the families and presented valuable photo opportunities in front of various championship trophies -- including the 1982 and 1986 national championship trophies. A few also slipped into Paterno's chair behind his desk for a priceless memory.
"I would say [my kids] are just thrilled to be here," Brady's mother said. "This means a lot because they watch the football games and everything on TV. They've been to the games here, and it's really neat to have interaction like this with the players."
Will Doron, of Hanover, was another child who had his wish granted, but for the second straight year. Will is a young leukemia survivor who will soon try out to play tackle football for the first time. His father, Bill, said the main difference between last year's program was that this year was a lot more personalized with more interaction.
Will's father said Thon weekend is a trip his family has made for seven years, and that the kids tell him this weekend is more enjoyable than a trip to Disney World.
Defensive lineman Jerome Hayes, who suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament this season, escorted Will's family. And even though football players often struggle with injuries on the field, Lee emphasized their plight is nothing close to what many Thon children experience.
"It puts a lot of things in perspective," Lee said. "It shows you might be injured, but you still have a lot going for you, especially with kids who are fighting for their life."
The event ended with an ice cream party in the team locker room. And in between a few footprints on the sacred "S" in the middle of the carpet -- a taboo that results in push-ups -- the players and families had a hard time ending what for many was an unforgettable experience.
Butler playfully wrestled with his partner, Bryan Weinsheimer, while families began to disperse.
"It's just a day to relax and help the kids," Butler said. "I remember when I was that age; I just wanted to be around sports guys -- anyone willing to have fun with you, just to get out of the norm.
"It's not every day that you get the opportunity to put on football gear, come to the weight room, be with Penn State players."
