Seeing college football games in person is a unique thrill.
For anyone who went to a big state school, college football was likely an integral part of the experience. Unlike watching the game from the comforts of your home (or a friend’s tailgate), there’s an element of community and audience participation that you can only get at the actual event. Still, being ill may prevent us from actually attending.
Fortunately for four-year-old Wyatt Hemphill, the football game found a way to come to him.
Hemphill suffers from a rare autoimmune disease which keeps him bedridden.
The little boy is currently staying at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the top floors of which provide a scenic overlook over the Hawkeyes’ football stadium. Although the little boy couldn’t get out of bed to watch the game from the windows on his own, his parents and the hospital staff had an idea. One day, they wheeled his hospital bed up to the windows so he could see outside.
Little did Hemphill know that he was in for a big surprise.
As he looked out the window, all 70,000 people in the stadium were on their feet waving at him.
Hemphill’s mother posted on Facebook that the experience had moved her son:
First time he actually smiled and giggled since we been here. This is such an amazing thing. He felt so special! Thank you everyone that waved! I had tears in my eyes. Even through everything he smiled. ?❤️?? #iowahawkeyes #iowafootball #espn #bigten #collegefootball #hawkeyes
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The full audience wave is a new tradition being implemented by the Hawkeyes.
The tradition is set to take place at the end of the first quarter of every home game and can be traced back to one concerned mother named Krista Young. Young initially offered the idea on Facebook before it gained a life of its own:
I think with the new U of I hospital addition open, Kinnick should hold a “wave to the kids” minute during every game. Can you imagine how neat it would be to have all of those fans, players, & coaching staff looking up at you sending a little extra inspiration?
Fortunately, the university listened—and it made all the difference to little Wyatt Hemphill.
Hemphill’s condition is serious and will likely require bone marrow transplants in order for him to make a full recovery. To see so many people cheering for him and encouraging him lifted his spirits as it surely does to all the other children at the hospital.
Hang in there, Wyatt!
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