Courtesy: Cleveland Browns
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)- A 5-year-old Browns fan is beating cancer one touchdown at a time!
Ryan Encinas, of Cuyahoga Falls, got the opportunity thanks to The Littlest Heroes program and an idea by Head Coach Rob Chudzinski’s son, Kaelan, according to the Cleveland Browns.
At two years old, Ryan and his family went to the doctor for what his parents thought was an ordinary cold. Ryan was diagnosed with a tumor in his left lung and for the next six weeks, he stayed at the hospital for chemotherapy and radiation.
Friday, Ryan celebrated two years in remission from cancer. He will start kindergarten this fall.
Ryan was selected to attend training camp Wednesday by The Littlest Heroes program. Coach Chudzinski presented him with a custom uniform.
Ryan and his family attended ‘Family Night’ after Coach Chudzinski’s son brainstormed the idea for Ryan to score a touchdown.
With his custom jersey on, Ryan ran into the end zone Saturday, surrounded by cheering Browns players and coaches. .
“To be at that stadium and having everyone yelling his name, yelling for him and cheering him on, I can’t imagine,” said Robert Encinas, Ryan’s father. “There’s nothing that he’s afraid of. He’s so happy to meet anybody and everybody. (The Littlest Heroes) thought that would be the perfect fit, a boy that would be excited and thrilled, not scared, and very outgoing.”
You can see the video of Ryan’s touchdown run here:http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/media-center/videos/5-Year-Old-Scores-Touchdown-At-Family-Night/c37ca95a-b447-48c7-8c6f-b9badcb21f4d
