Ten-year-old Austin Deckard was diagnosed with advanced pulmonary hypertension. Deckard is also a huge Auburn football fan and had a Christmas wish to meet his favorite player and former Auburn Tiger, Cam Newton. The Carolina Panthers QB hopped on a jet and flew to Atlanta to surprise and fulfill Deckard’s wish just one day before he was scheduled to have a stent placed in his heart.
Newton’s big surprise started with a post on social media from Austin’s elementary school teacher, Courtney Cooper. She mentioned Deckard’s condition and how he wished to meet his favorite football player.
“Austin told me he ‘wished Cam Newton could come to his birthday party,'” Cooper said in her post. “Austin may not ever make it to an Auburn football game but I know social media is a strong force that can make things happen.”
Newton received the message and flew to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta hospital to surprise Austin. The result was truly special as he greeted Cam with a long, emotional hug. Cam also brought a bag full of gifts for the young boy, including Under Armour gear and Nerf guns which he signed.
