TALLAHASSEE, FL – This is a story that will remind you that there are good and selfless people in the world.
Bo Paske, an autistic student at Montford Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, was sitting alone at lunch Tuesday when Florida State wide receiver Travis Rudolph took a seat in front of him.
Several FSU players were visiting the school that day, and Rudolph noticed Bo sitting by himself.
"I was just a kid not too long ago and I remember what the impact was of guys that played in college and in the NFL coming back to us," Rudolph told ESPN. "So I feel like maybe I can change someone's life or I can make someone a better person or make someone want to be great or be like me, or even better."
Bo's mother, Leah Paske, posted a photo of Rudolph eating lunch with her son. She said she became emotional when a friend sent her the photo.
"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?'" she said. "He said, 'FSU football player,' then I had tears streaming down my face."
Paske said she will always remember the gesture.
"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," Paste wrote. "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."
Rudolph is on the preseason watch list for the Biletnikoff Award, which is given to the most outstanding receiver in college football.
Several times lately I have tried to remember my time in middle school, did I like all my teachers, do I even remember...
Posted by Leah Paske on Tuesday, August 30, 2016