It's every kid dream to be friends with their favorite professional athlete.
But for one boy in Charlotte, that dream is a reality.
You could call it a long-distance friendship, the NFLer living in Dallas while Gavin Miller lives a few thousand away in Charlotte. But that doesn't stop the two from being each other's biggest fans.
From Lansing Catholic to Kelly Shorts Stadium, to AT&T Stadium: Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush has risen through the ranks to play football on the biggest stage. But the Mid-Michigan native has never lost sight of his hometown, or the people in it.
"For me, it's really awesome to see how he handles it all. I mean this guy has been through it all. He's as tough as they come," Rush said.
Rush's parents live right across the street from the Millers. The two struck up a friendship through proximity, but it quickly became more. Gavin has a Perthes Disease, a rare medical condition that causes the hip bone to disintegrate.
"That can really relate to my job and life and it's always nice to have someone to think about when things are tough and to have Gavin....he's going through it too, and it's just as tough," Rush added.
And that encouragement is mutual.
"When I'm battling Perthes, he cheers me on like 'you can do it,'" Gavin Miller said.
Recently, Gavin and his family were able to cheer Rush on in person at a Cowboys preseason game when in town for a doctor's visit. The nonprofit Miracle Flights was able to fly them down free of charge.
"It gives him something to look forward to throughout this. He's been on and off from about a year and in a wheelchair or a walker so it's a really big bright spot in his day when gets to go down there or he comes over," Gavin's mother Karen Miller said.
Gavin loves the autographed footballs, and VIP treatment at games, but what he loves most is just spending time with his friend, QB Cooper Rush.
"it's really fun and it makes me feel happy. He's a really good friend. Sometimes he comes here and we play catch," he said.
Gavin was cleared this past Monday to return to full activity.
His mom says he plans to wrestle and--you guessed it--play football.
Want to see more local news ? Visit the FOX47News Website.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
Download our free app for Appleand Android
and
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox.
Select from these options: Breaking News, Severe Weather, School Closings, Daily Headlines and Daily Forecasts.
