FORT WORTH, Texas – The Dallas Cowboys football team, cheerleaders, and Mascot ROWDY dispersed between four hospitals for the annual holiday hospital visits on Monday, December 9th. Cowboys’ players and cheerleaders were divided among Children’s Medical Center (Dallas), Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children (Dallas), Medical City Children’s Hospital (Dallas), and Cook Children’s Medical Center (Fort Worth).
Cowboy representatives at each hospital interacted with children and families going through adverse circumstances during the Christmas season. Faces of all ages lit up as Cowboy players entered the room at Cook’s Children.
I spoke with quarterback Dak Prescott about the annual tradition and he told me, “ This means everything. This is what it is about. This puts everything in perspective. It’s humbling. I know I probably get more from this visit than these kids do. Just being able to share this moment in hard times and see the smile on their face through everything they are going through, so worth it. Thankful I have this platform to reach out and just make a difference.”
Football brings people together and bridges gaps. Children and families dealing with various diseases and illnesses were able to escape for an hour and forget about their struggles as they greeted Dallas Cowboys. They were able to find joy amidst their tough predicaments. On the opposite side, Cowboy players were able to use their influence as a professional athlete to make an impact in a child’s life through a simple signature, hug, and kind word. The significance of the moment was written not only on the kid’s faces, but on the face of players as well.
“ To come and put a smile on the kids faces during this time of year, it means the world to us, “ Randall Cobb remarked to me. “ To be able to be with fans and fans that are going through troubling times, it’s a staple for us to understand the importance of what we do and how a game can bring so much joy to people.”
The visits put into perspective what is truly important in life and the affect of one genuine conversation/smile.
