ORCHARD PARK, NY (WKBW) — You may remember 8-year-old Thaddeus Rathke, a video of him opening a gift on Christmas morning got a lot of attention online.
Rathke got emotional when he opened a helmet autographed by his favorite player, Buffalo Bills Hall of Fame running back Thurman Thomas.
The gift moved him to tears and after Thomas saw our story on 7 News he reached out to arrange a meeting with his young fan.
READ MORE: Young Buffalo Bills fan overwhelmed with emotion after receiving helmet signed by Thurman Thomas
It was the surprise of a lifetime Tuesday at Highmark Stadium. Rathke got to meet Thomas who snuck up on him while he was shopping at the Bills store with his mom.
7 News captured the surprise on camera. All of this just one day after Rathke made his list of goals for 2024 and on that list: "meet Thurman Thomas."
"I love your video," Thomas told Rathke when they met.
He went on to say, "You know what that means though? It means your parents and grandparents did a great job of raising you to be a Bills fan because you're what? 8?" Rathke was shocked to see his idol in the flesh and told him "You're the best ever!"
Thomas signed numerous memorabilia for Rathke, posed for pictures, and gave some advice about achieving your goals.
"You always just got to enjoy something that you love to do every single day and I loved playing football every single day when I was growing up," said Thomas. "Life isn't easy. You take it one day at a time. I am happy to wake up this morning and come here and be with Thad. Live your life the way that you want to live it. Me, with my family foundation, it's about giving back and helping others."
