Senior Robby Heil, who has Down syndrome, has been the Novi High School football team’s water boy for four years. The Wildcats arranged for Robby to be part of a play at Friday’s game, with him scoring a touchdown during the second quarter.
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The Friday night lights were extra bright last night at Novi High School in MI. He took the ball on the play, made a few cuts at the line, and then scampered towards the end zone for a 36-yard touchdown.
But it’s the scene from the sidelines that will give you chills.
Both teams surrounded the boy to celebrate his big moment, which was especially emotional for Robby’s mother.
The fans erupted. Both teams celebrated, with opponent South Lyon East later presenting him with a jersey signed by its players.
Debbie Heil said she was speechless after seeing her son score a touchdown.
Even the rival team took some time to honor Robby.
“This team has been instrumental in helping me get him to practice while I’m in chemo”, Debbie Heil said. So during a recent game, his coach arranged for a special surprise for him. “I’ve always been proud of him being the water boy, or as people call him, the hydration manager, but this was incredible”.
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The camaraderie and compassion served as a heartwarming reminder that some things are far more important than the scoreboard. “And the opportunity to put that helmet on tonight, it brought tears to my eyes to night and tears all over the place”.
