Terrell Owens gets recognition for a good deed
Wide receiver Terrell Owens seems to have found his place with the Cincinnati Bengals this season, which has translated into positive production both on and off the field.
According to a recent report from ESPN.com, Owens wrote a sincere e-mail to Josiah Viera, and also sent the 6-year-old a package containing his jersey and his eighth touchdown ball this season, which he signed personally. Viera suffers from Progeria,
a rare genetic disease that causes individuals to age prematurely.
“Josiah’s face lit up like a Christmas tree as I handed him the football and said this is from Sunday’s game,” Josiah’s mother, Jennifer, said. “He gave me the biggest smile as I read what T.O. had wrote on the ball and jersey.”
A child diagnosed with Progeria has a life expectancy of only about eight to 13 years. Josiah, however, appears to be aging at a much faster pace than most children with the affliction.
“I can only guess from the e-mail that T.O. wrote me that Josiah’s story had touched him and inspired him,” Jennifer said.
Josiah, a native of Hegins, Pennsylvania, had been featured on the ESPN program
E:60 earlier this month. After the show aired, Jennifer received an e-mail from Owens.
“You may or may not know not me, but who I am doesn’t matter,” Owens wrote. “My reason for e-mailing you is the E:60
story on your precious gift from God, your son Josiah. I was about to get ready for bed when I caught it somewhere in the middle and when I grasped the content of what was going on. I was glued to the TV. I must say that you are a strong woman and you
have an even stronger son.”
Although Owens’ Bengals eventually lost to the Buffalo Bills last Sunday, with the receiver finishing with 63 receiving yards on three catches, one of which was for a touchdown. Owens sent that ball, along with his game-worn jersey, to Viera.
“I am very honoured that T.O. not only took the time to write, but also to send his gear that he wore for the Bills-Bengals game,” Josiah’s mother said. “That is something we will cherish.”
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