Oklahoma State University Athletics
Cowboys Visit Children's Hospital
December 31, 2013 | Cowboy Football
Dec. 31, 2013
DALLAS - There were smiles on the faces of many Tuesday afternoon at Texas Scottish Rite Children's Hospital.
The Oklahoma State football team visited the prestigious hospital for a meet-and-greet with patients. Cowboy players and coaches signed autographs, handed out Pistol Pete helmet stickers and posed for pictures with children throughout the hospital.
"This is a great experience for our team," said OSU head coach Mike Gundy. "Our team is very excited about participating in this year's AT&T Cotton Bowl, but to be here with these children is a great opportunity for us and we will get more out of this visit than anyone else."
Coach Gundy was presented with a work of art drawn by one of the hospital's patients, 10-year old Sebastian Granados.
Granados' father, Enrique, admitted he wasn't much of a football fan, but the appearance of the Cowboys meant a lot to him and his family.
"We're blessed to be able to be a part of this," Granados said. "This hospital has made a big difference for us. It's important for my kids to see this - it lets them know that you have to give back to the community and you have to thank God for everything he's done for you. These guys are healthy, but when you see kids in wheelchairs or whatever and you spend time showing them you care that means a lot."
It also means a lot to the Cowboy players, said OSU linebacker Caleb Lavey.
"The biggest thing is reaching out to these kids," Lavey said. "Being on a football team, some of us are pretty big guys and the kids can be a little bit intimidated. But going up to them and doing or saying something to make them smile is a great feeling. Talking to them about football, what they want to do, how they're doing, what their dreams are - we just try to do whatever we can do to cheer them up and help them have a good time."
Dr. Matt Abbott, a Fellow at Scottish Rite, said the effects of the Cowboys' visit aren't just limited to the time spent at the hospital.
"Everybody has been talking about this (visit) for a week now, and it's something that brightens the day," Abbott said. "These guys are people the kids see on TV and look up to. The kids will talk about this for days after the players leave, and anything that takes their mind off what they're having to go through here is a plus. It really helps out with the recovery, just putting them in a better mood. It just makes things easier for them while they're here."
OSU quarterback Clint Chelf said the opportunity for the Cowboys to play a part in brightening the lives of children is a blessing.
"It's amazing - anytime you give back to the community, especially to young kids, that's something we're really big on," said OSU quarterback Clint Chelf. "All the players are excited about coming here and meeting people that might be less fortunate than us. We have to recognize and put into perspective what these people have been through. Giving back to them is something we're all really excited about."
Chelf also had a message for the Scottish Rite patients.
"You're always gonna have setbacks; there's always adversity and a lot guys on our team have faced adversity," Chelf said. "The one thing you have to do is keep pushing forward. Not everything is going to go your way at certain times, and you just have to keep going and keep pushing through."
