More Than A Game: Teen Football Player With Cancer Gets Support From Opposing Team.

On the football field, it doesn’t always matter what team you’re on. When a fellow player is in need, everyone answers the call.

A Pennsylvania high school football team, parents, teachers, and staff showed a great act of kindness for a member of the opposing team after a recent game. The game was indeed a battle to the finish, but these people came together to provide encouragement for a greater battle ahead.

The two teams are Avon Grove High School and Coatesville High School. During a Friday night game, both teams gathered at midfield to give Gavin Picard balloons and a gift. Gavin, who plays for Avon Grove, was recently diagnosed with stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Both teams and the community have rallied around Gavin, a star player. Rachel Taylor Wilson shared her thoughts about the support for Gavin on Facebook. 

Rachel added that in sports it’s about so much more than the game. This act of kindness proves that. She said the Coatesville team had experienced quite an emotional week, so they understood how things can affect players on and off the field. 

“Class act all the way… football is more than wins and losses,” she said. “It’s a brotherhood, a bond like no other…”

She even added that “sometimes the kids show the adults what life is really about.”

Community support for Gavin continues as a family friend set up a GoFundMe page to help raise money for his cancer treatment. You can see the outpouring of love and support for the star football player in the comments. 

On Oct. 29, 2022, an update was shared that Gavin completed his first round of chemo. Share this story to root for Gavin’s healing.