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Larry Fitzgerald talks about granting wish of 7-year-old diagnosed with leukemia

Posted at 4:11 PM, Aug 05, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-06 00:30:42-04

Earlier this summer, Larry Fitzgerald had a chance to grant a wish of 7-year-old Tennyson Erickson from South Dakota. Erickson, who has been diagnosed with leukemia, had a dream of meeting Fitzgerald, his favorite NFL player.

While he got set to begin his 15th NFL season, the Cardinals star wide receiver took time to fulfill Tennyson's dream as part of ESPN's "My Wish" series. The episode aired on ESPN in mid-July.

"I know he had a wonderful time, but at the end of the day, I feel like I got more out of that than he did," Fitzgerald told ABC15's Craig Fouhy on Wednesday while promoting his upcoming Supper Club charity event.

"I have a 5-year-old son. I just couldn’t imagine that kind of battle. You just really, really hope and pray that your kids can be safe. You just take your hat off to their family and what they’ve been able to persevere through."

During his trip to Arizona, Tennyson got to meet Fitzgerald and some of his Cardinals teammates, and he was signed to an official NFL contract by Cardinals president Michael Bidwill. Tennyson even scored a touchdown during a team practice, and Fitzgerald praised new Cardinals coach Steve Wilks for allowing that to happen.

"To be able to spend time with Tennyson and his family, and how kind Coach Wilks was allowing him to come out to practice and participate in practice — that’s not the norm," Fitzgerald said. "Head coaches wouldn’t allow him to do that, so I’m so appreciative Coach would allow that to happen."

Fitzgerald has done an exhaustive amount of charity work during his decade and a half in the NFL. He's just happy to be able to make a difference in the life of kids in the same way so many other celebrities have through the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

"To see the young people and the experiences that they’re able to have with entertainers, celebrities, musicians, whatever they choose to (do), it’s unbelievable," he said.