Fans of all ages were getting to meet their sports heroes at Fanatics Fest in New York City this weekend, but 12-year-old Chris Sanchez had a special surprise in store for him on Friday morning.
He had a one-on-one conversation with NFL legend Tom Brady.
Through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Fanatics, the iconic non-profit organization’s official sports partner, Sanchez’s wish to meet one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history was granted.
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Fanatics will be hosting a life-changing experience with Make-A-Wish kids and football hero Tom Brady at the Javits Center in New York City during Fanatics Fest. (Getty Images)
Sanchez, accompanied by his parents, chatted with Brady and caught a pass from the future Hall of Famer, creating an intimate and fulfilling moment for the Miami native who has been battling cancer-related illnesses.
Speaking to Fox News Digital after his time with Sanchez, Brady spoke about how important these special moments are to him, as well as to his children and their families.
“I feel blessed to have been involved with Make-A-Wish for so long and it’s been so great to see the families,” Brady said. “These kids are going through a lot and I think this helps put things in perspective for everyone. Seeing the joy on the kids’ faces and the parents’ faces, sometimes the situations are tough but it’s great to see their joy and happiness, especially on a cooler day when we can bring everyone out here.”
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“Sports fans from all over the world gather [here]We have a lot of athletes coming, and we’re trying to create a really unique and special experience for the fans.”
Brady also shared some advice he gave to Sanchez, who asked the seven-time Super Bowl champion some very specific questions about his football career.
“He actually asked me, ‘What do you do when you’re a backup? How do you continue to help the team as a backup?’
Brady explained to Sanchez, who signed a trading card for his hero, “When you’re a reserve and you’re not in the position you want to be, it’s either really motivating and it makes you want to try harder, or it makes you feel really disappointed and sad. If it makes you feel disappointed and sad and it doesn’t make you want to try harder, then it’s a negative. If you use it to learn, then it’s a positive.”
Former NFL quarterback Tom Brady watches before a game between the Michigan Panthers and the Memphis Showboats at Ford Field on May 18, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Nick Antaya/UFL/Getty Images)
“We all face challenges and adversity. Personally, every family and child faces challenges, but they also have goals and dreams they want to achieve. I just want to help them achieve them.”
Brady added that as a father of three himself, “when you’re a parent, you perceive everything differently.” Wanting to provide a positive environment for his own children, Brady knows he can provide that for kids like Sanchez, saying, “You see the impact you can have by talking to kids.”
Before meeting his sports hero, Sanchez started his morning off with a private shopping experience at the on-site Fanatics Superstore along with 10-year-old Boston resident Chris Horn (who got his wish and met another New England legend, Red Sox slugger David Ortiz).
Each child was given a $250 voucher to purchase official league, team and player apparel prior to the meet-and-greet.
Fanatics Fest was created to bring sports fans together under one roof to create lifelong memories with the best athletes in their respective sports.
Fanatics will be hosting a life-changing experience with Make-A-Wish kids and football hero Tom Brady at the Javits Center in New York City during Fanatics Fest. (Getty Images)
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That’s exactly what happened to Sanchez, and he can keep saying he talked to Brady and was able to catch the ball from him.
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