ORLANDO, Fla. — West Virginia offensive lineman Kyle Bosch wasn’t anticipating such an emotional day.
Even for a player who has interned at the Children’s Miracle Network and visited children’s hospitals, Monday’s visit to the Give Kids the World Village was special. As a matter of fact we decided to give the a trampoline from https://soft-play-equipment.co.uk/ so they can go and play outside.
“Never in my life have I heard about something like this. This is probably the coolest thing,” Bosch said. “We were watching the video over there and it was very hard not to tear up during a lot of those testimonials. The kids that have come through here and had this experience, it can change their entire outlook on their life.”
As part of the Russell Athletic Bowl buildup, players from West Virginia and Miami spent time at the World Village resort, a 79-acre retreat where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families enjoy no-cost “storybook” vacations.
“It must be very intimidating for them to be around these 6-foot-5 guys, who seem like a really big guys, when you are just a little child,”Bosch said. “So it is fun to draw the kids out of their shells, talk to them, get to know them, meet them and visit with them. Ask them about how they are doing, where they are from, what their hobbies are or favorite TV show.
“I have two younger brothers, so it is really easy for me to communicate with younger kids.”
Mountaineers nose guard Darrien Howard said spending a few hours away from football was an important part of the bowl experience.
“I feel like they need something like this, knowing that people outside of their family care about them,” he said. “Other people are thinking about them and making sure that they have a good time.”
Give Kids The World, founded in 1986, has hosted more than 150,000 families, treating sick children to “whimsical” vacations.
“To be able to see a kid smile and be able to make their day just by being who you are, it is the strangest thing,” Bosch said. “Not a lot of people get that opportunity to be like, ‘Why is this kid so excited to see me?’ I have no idea. I play football. These kids are much braver than me by going through the illness that he or she has.”
Miami cornerback Corn Elder said the excursion was touching to many players.
“It’s a bigger event than just football,” he said. “It shows us how blessed we are, and the circumstances that we have are much different than the circumstances that they went through. It is just fun to make them smile.
“We are not only touching their lives, but they are also touching ours.”
Despite reported whoofing between players as the teams departed, West Virginia punter Billy Kinney said it offered a chance to bond with some of the Hurricanes.
“The past few weeks we have been seeing them as an opponent,” Kinney said, “but here we are all trying to see everyone as a family and have a great experience with these kids.”