Sixteen NFL prospects took time out of their training this week to make a difference in the lives of kids fighting cancer. Bruce Tollner, an agent of the next best football players, brought his Southern California training talent to CHOC (Children’s Hospital of Orange County) this afternoon. Bruce has been an incredible advocate for Jessie and her mission and we were honored to get to see his talent in the hospital encouraging kids with Jessie’s JoyJars.
This group of men was made up of current college stars looking toward the 2015 NFL Draft, as well as current NFL players all preparing for the next steps in their football career. Among them was Jordan Palmer, current NEGU All-Star and NFL Quarterback, and Marcus Mariota, 2014 Heismann Trophy Winner.
“I thought that once I had a big platform I could make a huge difference, but once I learned about Jessie, I realized it’s not the size of your platform, its the size of your commitment to making a difference in the world. I don’t encourage you to make a difference, I challenge you to make a difference.” – Jordan Palmer
Palmer instilled this mindset into the hearts of the fellow football players that joined us at CHOC. JoyJars and footballs were given to kids fighting cancer on the 2nd floor of CHOC hospital, where kids enjoy going to interact with their favorite sea turtle, Crush from Finding Nemo. After an incredible interaction with one of the football players, a mother of a courageous kid said, “You guys changed her life, thats not just a moment, you guys changed her life. That was the most beautiful thing to just sit back and watch.”
Kaitlin Sandeno, National Spokesperson for the Jessie Rees Foundation and two time Olympic Swimmer, joined these young men at CHOC. This was her 107th hospital visit and she always loves going back to where she did her first visit ever. Kaitlin and these NFL prospects got down onto the level of these courageous kids, doing arts and crafts with them, truly caring about bringing a smile to their face.
Thank you to Bruce Tollner & Rep1 Sports. Thank you also to Jordan Palmer and the rest of the incredible young men who encouraged kids at CHOC today. We are truly better together!
NEGU