Eighth-grader Cole Fitzgerald received the thrill of a lifetime on Jan. 29 as an anonymous Minnesota Vikings’ fan sends tickets to the Feb. 4 Super Bowl LII
As if being invited to spend a weekend as an honorary equipment manager for the Philadelphia Eagles in November wasn’t thrilling enough, Bunker Hill Middle School eighth-grader Cole Fitzgerald received the thrill of a lifetime on Jan. 29 from the most unlikeliest source — a diehard Minnesota Vikings fan.
A package arrived for Fitzgerald — who was not expected to survive birth, beat neuroblastoma as a toddler and who continues to struggle with a muscle disorder — with an anonymous letter from a Vikings’ fan who had won two Super Bowl tickets through a local charity called Spare Key. The fan explained he had told his wife and kids that if the Vikings didn’t win, he was going to give the tickets to someone who could really appreciate seeing their team play in the Super Bowl. The caveat was the person couldn’t be a Patriots’ fan.
The fan went on to explain that he was so discouraged by how badly the Eagles were beating his Vikings that he spent the second half of the game on his computer, looking for someone who could really appreciate the tickets.
“I came across your story,” the letter read. “First, I saw the post by your mom on Alexslemonade.com from a few years ago. Then I saw the piece about your role as equipment manager with your high school team. Then the spot about how the Eagles brought you in for a day in November. It was all so very cool, and I realized it was destiny, just not my destiny. You were the one meant to get these tickets all along.”
Recognizing his dream of playing the NFL was unlikely, Fitzgerald followed his father’s advice to find another path into the league. This conversation led to the creation of an equipment manager position for Fitzgerald by Washington Township Youth Football. Fitzgerald then wrote a letter to Philadelphia Eagles equipment manager Greg Delimitros, who was inspired by his story and invited him to help out for the weekend. The Vikings’ fan’s research continued that chain reaction of good fortune.
“Your dad is right,” the letter continued. “Follow your dreams. The path and the role may be different than you first envisioned, but I fully expect to see you in the NFL someday and look forward to hearing the rest of your story. I hope you guys enjoy this weekend and the game, and….for this one game….Go EAGLES!”
News of Fitzgerald’s anonymous gift spread quickly throughout his school and community.
“This is so awesome,” said teacher Donna Flood, one of many BHMS staff members who reacted with exuberance to the story. “Cole is the epitome of all that is good, strong and true. That Vikings’ fan is truly a good soul. I love when good finds good; it makes the world a better place.”
Fitzgerald and his father Bill Fitzgerald will be heading to Minneapolis on Friday courtesy of Delta Airlines.
