The BEST thing about this and there are a lot of great things about this story is that Rudolph didn’t even know the kid was autistic and his motivation for sitting with him was just out of kindness her had no idea the mother would reply like this.
“Now that I have a child starting middle school, I have feelings of anxiety for him, and they can be overwhelming if I let them. Sometimes I’m grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him. He doesn’t seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn’t seem to notice that he doesn’t get invited to birthday parties anymore. And he doesn’t seem to mind if he eats lunch alone. It’s one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today? Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it’s nobody. Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn’t seem to mind.
“A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption “Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son” I replied “who is that?” He said “FSU football player”, then I had tears streaming down my face. Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my sons school today. I’m not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I’m happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten. This is one day I didn’t have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life!”
Rudolph described his conversation with Bo as very easy going and casual.
“I asked could I sit with him and he said, ‘Sure, why not?’” Rudolph said. “… He told me his name was Bo, how much he loves Florida State. And we went from there.”
The child’s name is Bo Paske, and according to a Facebook post from his mother, Leah Paske, Bo has autism.
“One of his first questions was am I in the NFL,” Rudolph said with a smile. “I said, ‘Not yet.’”
When Rudolph learned what Bo’s mom said on Facebook it almost brought him to tears (me too).
Just spoke with #FSU WR Travis Rudolph. He told me he read the mother's post before practice and that it nearly brought tears to his eyes.
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) August 30, 2016
Travis Rudolph: "He's a cool person, I'll hang out with him any day. And for the mom, if he needs my (cell) number, he can get it." #FSU
— Kenny Morales (@KennyMoralesTV) August 30, 2016
Great story and I hope they continue their friendship for a very long time.