Photo Credit: Dallas Cowboys
FRISCO, Texas — Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Dallas Cowboys’ annual holiday hospital visits looked different in 2020. Despite the current challenges in the world, the Cowboys still made a priority to put a smile on the face of a hospital patient for Christmas.
Normally, right about now during the holidays, Cowboy players are divided amongst four hospitals in the DFW metroplex to visit with patients. Even though players could not meet the children face-to-face this year, players took part in virtual meetings with patients from four local hospitals on Friday: Cook Children’s Fort Worth, Texas Scottish Rite, Medical City Children’s Hospital, and Children’s Dallas.
“With the holidays coming up, we normally get a chance to go visit these kids in the hospital, but this year we had to adjust, “Ezekiel Elliott described. “It was still nice to have the opportunity to visit with the kids and try to be a shining light for them during the holiday season. It’s important that we were able to get on these calls and talk to some of these kids, for them to see us, and hang out with us. It felt really good to do something for these kids. We haven’t been able to do what we normally do in the community, but to be able to give back this way for these kids, it was special.”
Today was certainly a perspective shifter for the Dallas squad. These children are the embodiment of the word ‘warrior.’ Neville Gallimore reflected on the impact of his visits.
“A shout out to the kids for their strength and positivity. That speaks volumes and shows they are stronger than really all of us. It was great to have the opportunity again today. If we had it our way, we’d be at the hospital with them today and just spend time with them face-to-face.”
Through zoom, the Cowboys were able to lift spirts and touch hearts. However, the majority of the time, it is the players who come away from the visits with a spark in their eye.
