Hurricanes Welcome Make-A-Wish Kid To Football Practice
CORAL GABLES (CBSMiami) – When the Miami Hurricanes took the practice field on Wednesday they welcomed a new player to workout with the team.
Carter Hucks, a third grade student from Charleston, South Carolina who is a Make-A-Wish participant, is a big Miami Hurricanes fan. He's also fighting a life-threatening disease.
During the next few days Hucks will have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with the Hurricanes football program. He'll be there on Saturday when the Canes host the Cincinnati Bearcats.
Hucks has also been spending a lot of time with his favorite player, Duke Johnson.
Two peas in a pod. #MakeAWish pic.twitter.com/Hp7PBzQFPd
— Miami Hurricanes (@MiamiHurricanes) October 8, 2014
CLICK HERE to watch Jim Berry's report The Hurricanes set Hucks up with his own uniform, complete with custom pads, a helmet and a number eight jersey (Johnson's number) with Hucks' name on the back. After getting suited up, Hucks took the practice field in a very special way. The Hurricanes' band and cheerleaders were on hand to welcome Hucks to the field as he ran through an inflatable Canes helmet and smoke machines, which Miami players have famously ran through before every single home game.
The newest #Cane, Carter Hucks, running through the smoke. #MakeAWish https://t.co/iEC7N3rzZw — Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 8, 2014
Hucks' parents, Derrick and Jesse, were on hand to witness their young boy live out his dream of playing football with the Miami Hurricanes.
"Because of things with his health, I think being out here, seeing the guys running around, moving around it reminds him of the things he used to do," said Carter Hucks' father Derrick. "I think that's a big spirit booster for him. I think it reminds him after this procedure is done he'll be able to get back to being who he is.
"I was making a joke that hopefully by the time this whole procedure is over the next time he's in Coach Golden's office he's here to commit to playing his next four, five years at the University of Miami. This is a stepping stone in that direction with the whole procedure he's going to go through. I would love to see him out here. It's good to see him out here running around and what he could possibly be."
Coach Al Golden was more than happy to open up his practice field to the young football player.
"Just a great day and hopefully a great three days coming up for he and his family," Golden said following practice. "We're excited to welcome him. He went to meetings. He got taped up, put pads on. We're excited for Carter and he's having a great day right now.
"He's entering a stage or a battle in his life where he needs this. He needs happy moments. He needs people supporting him and everything. I hope our kids get as much out of it as they are giving to him. In terms of appreciation and understanding where we are and keep perspective. I'm happy that he's with us this week for his sake. But I also think our guys are getting a lot from it as well."
Need a new AVI for this weekend's game? We have you covered: pic.twitter.com/gXd4zKZQdq
— Hurricanes Football (@CanesFootball) October 8, 2014
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