Bills WATCH: Josh Allen Helps Fan 'Wish' Come True
The Buffalo Bills have several new faces in their facility as they begin another pursuit of a Super Bowl. One inspirational free agent "signing" arrived in Western New York in June and his story has since been documented on ESPN.
The network's flagship program Sportscenter brought back its "My Wish" campaign for the 16th consecutive year this week and the Bills were at the center of the final segment aired on Wednesday. The long-running series, produced in conjunction with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, came to the Bills' facilities during minicamp activities to showcase the dream of 20-year-old Caleb Foarde, a young cancer survivor from Central Florida.
Diagnosed with brain cancer, Foarde regularly undergoes treatments. He remains fully active despite his diagnosis, serving as a mentor for other young people going through similar medical ordeals.
"I think God gives tough battles to strong warriors," Foarde told the Bills' official site. "I think I'm strong enough to take this, and I want to give back,"
His wish was to be part of the Bills, his favorite football team.
"They're all about persevering and keeping a good attitude," Foarde said of the Bills in his segment. "That's what I'm about."
With a little help from his friends, Foarde's wish was granted: under the impression he was filming a documentary alongside Riley Huet, a fellow cancer survivor who became his close friend during their respective diagnoses, Foarde received a personal letter from Bills general manager Brandon Beane, inviting him to the Bills' facility.
It didn't take long for Foarde to make Buffalo-branded buddies upon arrival. He was greeted by fellow medical survivors Damar Hamlin and shared inspiring words with offensive lineman David Quessenberry, who recovered from Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2017. En route to the practice field, Foarde officially made it onto the Bills roster through a one-day contract. He soon created bonds with fellow Central Florida product Gabe Davis as well as linebacker Tyrel Dodson, a favorite of Caleb and his father Mike when they attended Texas A&M football games.
During practice, offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey turns his headset over to Foarde, allowing him to call plays and teaching him Buffalo terminology and strategies. His performance earns a rave review from Josh Allen, who puts Dorsey on notice by claiming he can hear Foarde's decisions come in far more clearly.
Allen later treats his new play-caller to lunch at the team facility (where Foarde gets him to admit he's cheating on his salad diet in favor of Chick-fil-A) before the latter emerges victorious in a soccer video game played in the Bills' film room.
Other athletes partaking in this year's edition of "My Wish" include Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase, Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout, and MMA fighter Dustin Poirier.
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
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