Wayne Rooney Invites 'American Idol' Contestant With Cystic Fibrosis To Match

Author:
Extra Mustard
Publish date:
Feb 18, 2013

Fox; AP

Kayden Stephenson may have been eliminated from American Idol, but the 16-year-old with cystic fibrosis who emerged as one of this season's fan favorites won the attention of one of the world's most famous sportsmen -- and an all-expenses-paid trip to one of the biggest soccer matches of the year.

Wayne Rooney was so moved by Stephenson's story that he reached out to the Oklahoma native on Twitter and invited him to Manchester United's upcoming Champions League match with Real Madrid at Old Trafford, offering to pay for his flights and hotel.

Rooney, 27, lost his childhood friend Stephen Johnson to the terminal illness in September.

https://twitter.com/WayneRooney/status/300737794198876162

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https://twitter.com/WayneRooney/status/300755683631067137

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https://twitter.com/KaydenJoshua/status/300766321065459714

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https://twitter.com/KaydenJoshua/status/300775800611946497

https://twitter.com/KaydenJoshua/status/300819746025246720

https://twitter.com/KaydenJoshua/status/300780635063218178