TEWKSBURY, MASS. (WHDH) - A Tewksbury boy won a chance to have lunch with Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski, but decided to give his spot to his younger brother, who has been battling juvenile diabetes.
Tommy and Tyler Crawford were thrilled their parents signed them both up for Gronkowski’s football camp this weekend, but 8-year-old Tyler wasn’t so thrilled when Tommy won the chance to join a private lunch with Gronk.
“I just ran upstairs, slammed my door and I just freaked out,” Tyler said.
Things got seriously for Tyler this past weekend, when the little brother was hospitalized and found out he has type 1 juvenile diabetes, a condition he will have to manage for the rest of his life. Tommy asked that Tyler get to go to the lunch instead of him.
“After all he’s been through this weekend, how he’s going to act for the rest of his life, he should just get the opportunity,” Tommy said.
Tyler’s reaction was priceless.
Tommy’s parents said the 12-year-old has always has a big heart. He is a Special Olympics cheer buddy at school and recently received a good citizenship award.
When Gronk’s camp said both boys could come to the special lunch, Tyler got to return the favor, another priceless reaction leading to what’s shaping up to be a memorable weekend.
“So we both get to go?” Tommy said, nearly in tears.
“He really does deserve it,” said mother Kelly Crawford.
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