Heartwarming bond between superstar and little boy
THE HEARTWARMING bond between a superstar striker and a terminally-ill mascot reminded people that football can still be beautiful.
The friendship between Bradley Lowery and England forward Jermain Defoe brought joy to the six-year-old during the most desperate times.
Diagnosed with the rare childhood cancer neuroblastoma, the Sunderland fan from Blackhall, County Durham, was repeatedly picked to be a mascot for his beloved team.
And Bradley’s cheeky smile and “energy” drew Defoe to him the first time they met before a match, with the pair making an instant connection.
When the footballer said he was “blessed” to have known Bradley, it was a sentiment shared by hundreds of thousands around the world.
A request for people to send Christmas cards to the boy was backed by 250,000 people.
And those supporters followed his progress on social media as he bravely fought the pain to undergo gruelling treatment at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle.
It was a beautiful photograph of Bradley falling asleep on his hospital bed as he cuddled his hero Defoe that touched the nation.
Where once Bradley had been in awe of Sunderland’s top scorer, he came to accept his relationship with Defoe as normal, calling him his “best friend”.
The Football Association invited Bradley to be a mascot for the World Cup qualifier at Wembley against Lithuania on March 26, after which Defoe was unexpectedly called up into the squad at the age of 34.
Bradley was there to see his friend score his first goal in an England shirt for four years.
Captain Joe Hart let Bradley and Defoe lead the team out onto the pitch and Bradley covered his ears from the cacophony of the 78,000 crowd. Defoe later said he struggled to keep his emotions in check as he walked out hand-inhand with his young friend.
It was a fairytale occasion and Bradley said afterwards: “I have had an amazing day and I will never forget Jermain because I love him so much.”
Less than 24 hours after the VIP experience, Bradley was back in hospital for more treatment to extend his life.
He was a guest of honour at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year bash and he was given Match Of
The Day’s goal of the month award in December after scoring in the warm-up of Sunderland’s game against Chelsea.