Sports Stories That Will Give You Feels

I just love emotional sports stories, don’t you? If your eyes got misty reading about the middle school basketball team standing up to bullies, you’re not alone.

Here are a few other recent instances of sports helping to build the good in the world. From raising awareness for cancer to simply making a small but meaningful gesture, these stories will hopefully make you feel good. And don’t be ashamed if you tear up a bit—it’s allowed.

OKC Grants Wishes

In February, Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder helped make wishes come true for three teenagers battling life-threatening illnesses.

With the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the three boys and their families came to Oklahoma City from around the country. They attended a Harlem Globetrotters game, and Durant and Westbrook surprised them in their suite. The next day, the families got the VIP treatment at the Thunder's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

One of the boy’s mothers told Nick Gallo of NBA.com: “It was a phenomenal experience. They went over the top. There are no words that can explain the experience we shared this weekend with the other Wish families.”

Dwyane Wade Prom Swag

Prom is a big deal for high school students, and Dwyane Wade made it even more special for a group of foster children.

Wade and his stylist arranged for 15 young people from the Florida Guardian ad Litem program to have custom-made suits and Hublot watches.

Les Miles' Phone Call

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In August, Alabama teenager Sid Ortis was diagnosed with osteosarcoma. Both of his parents are from Louisiana, and Sid is a big LSU Tigers fan, according to Carol Robinson of AL.com.

Sid has had a long road of treatment with surgeries and chemotherapy, and he's had a lot of support along the way. People in his community even decorated the town with purple and gold ribbons, despite their many allegiances to Alabama schools.

LSU head football coach Les Miles also called 15-year-old Sid at one point just to chat. According to Sid’s mother, Miles told him, “Life is not how long you live, but how well you live it.”

Jimmy Butler Supports Chicago School

Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls and Kellogg's recently visited a Chicago high school to help promote the importance of a nutritious breakfast. Juniors participated in a free-throw contest to attempt to win money for the school.

Butler and Kellogg’s agreed to donate $50 for every free throw made. Butler also said that if he could make a three-pointer with one hand, they’d tack on $10,000. He did. Then they tacked on another $10,000 when junior Jabaree White accomplished the same feat.   

According to the Phoenix Military Academy's website, Butler said, “If basketball is the only thing I’m remembered by then I am doing something wrong.”

Daughter Asks for a Trade

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Jordyn Leopold is the 11-year-old daughter of NHL defenseman Jordan Leopold, formerly of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Leopold is originally from Minnesota, and his family resides there. Leading up to the recent NHL trade deadline, young Jordyn wrote an adorable letter addressed to the coaches of the Minnesota Wild, pleading for the team to trade for her father.

The letter read, in part, “My dad is very lonly [sic] without his family. We are living in Minnesota right now and I am lost without my dad, and so is my Mom, my 2 sisters, and my brother.”

When a trade to Minnesota materialized, Mike Doyle of wild.com reported that Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen said, “[Trading] Jordan Leopold was about doing the right thing for a guy who was a great pro for us. [He] gets to go home and join his family. We thank him for everything we did for the franchise. He was a great pro.”

Jimmy Graham Calls Young Fan

I imagine a lot of New Orleans Saints fans were pretty sad when tight end Jimmy Graham was traded to the Seattle Seahawks. However, seven-year-old Lexia took it especially hard. Good luck not tearing up and/or laughing while watching her defend Graham. It might be the sweetest thing ever.

Graham himself later called Lexia and her mother, offering to facilitate a trip to Seattle for the Seahawks’ first 2015 home game.

Aaron Rodgers Surprises Kids

Aaron Rodgers helped create itsAaron.com to raise awareness for nonprofits in Wisconsin. He has made videos to help promote organizations such as Gold in September and Camp Hometown Heroes. 

Recently, the Green Bay Packers quarterback surprised a group of children at Camp Hometown Heroes in Grafton, Wisconsin. Rodgers spent time with four children who have lost family members in the military.  

After the video aired, camp co-founder Neil Willenson told Derica Williams of Fox 6 in Milwaukee, "Just in the last three days, we’ve received $18,000 in cash contributions from 100 different donors across the country."

Nail Yakupov Provides Dinner, Hotel for Homeless Man

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A homeless man recently approached 21-year-old Nail Yakupov of the Edmonton Oilers to ask for money for coffee. Apparently Yakupov did him one better and bought him dinner and a hotel room for the night.

Yakupov told Emily Sadler of Sportsnet: “Two minutes. It’s not that hard. For them it’s huge. For you maybe it’s nothing if you’re going to lose a couple hundred bucks but for them it’s huge.”

UAB Raises Cancer Awareness

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If you’ve watched any UAB men’s basketball games this season, perhaps you’ve noticed the players wearing two different colored shoes. This is part of their season-long partnership with the Alabama Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders at Children’s of Alabama to help in the fight against pediatric cancer.

The partnership started in part because of the relationship the program has with a young cancer survivor, Elijah Seritt. According to the UAB press materials, head coach Jerod Haase said, “We wanted to do something to recognize Elijah’s courageous battle and his role on our team. We immediately thought wearing two different colors of shoes would cause fans to ask why and give us a perfect opportunity to raise awareness for pediatric cancer.”

Leah Still on the Mend

Leah Still is the four-year-old daughter of NFL free-agent defensive tackle Devon Still. Leah has been battling cancer since June, and many first heard about this story when the Cincinnati Bengals retained Still so he could keep his health insurance. The Stills received an outpouring of support from the NFL community and beyond.

Now, months later, there appears to be positive news. Still posted an update on Leah’s status to Instagram that read in part, “…the doctors told us they didn't see any active disease in her body!” According to Still, Leah isn’t completely out of the woods, but the doctors feel optimistic.  

Basketball Players Defend Cheerleader

At a recent middle school basketball game in Kenosha, Wisconsin, three young players did something incredible. Students in the crowd were picking on one of the cheerleaders, Desiree Andrews, who has Down syndrome. Upon hearing the insults, three players stopped in the middle of the game and walked off the court to defend her.

One of the boys, Scooter Terrien, told Michele Fiore of Milwaukee's TMJ4, “It’s not fair when other people get treated wrong because we’re all the same.”

Since then, the boys have remained friends with Desiree, often walking with her to class. They have also been honored by Kenosha's Common Council for their heartwarming gesture.

Duncan Keith and Cammy

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith recently made a young girl’s dream come true as part of his team’s #WhatsYourGoal social media campaign.

Cammy is a young girl who was born without the ability to speak or walk. According to this video from the Blackhawks, Cammy has dreamed of scoring a goal with an assist from Keith. He and the team made it possible and even put her on ice skates for the first time. Big feels.