A young cancer survivor was left weeping tears of joy after Tom Brady handed him a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap on Sunday night.
The 44-year-old quarterback spotted young football fan Noah Reed, nine, in the crowd during his Sunday night game against the Chicago Bears.
The fan from Utah, who was attending his first-ever NFL game, was spotted at the front of the crowd holding up a sign which read: 'Tom Brady helped me beat brain cancer.'
In December 2020, Noah, who is one of three siblings, was diagnosed with a brain tumor after initially suffering from severe headaches.
And six months later, in July, he completed his treatment to eliminate the brain cancer - but continues to remain under observation until he turns 18 to ensure it does not return.
Noah's mother Jacque, who was equally overcome by emotions, took to her husband's Instagram stories moments after Brady's act of kindness to share an emotional message of thanks.
She wrote: '@tombrady This kid fought and fought with a dream that one day he could watch you play in real life. You gave him strength and hope and a dream.
'You are not just the greatest athlete of all time, you are truly a good man. An exceptional father. A remarkable example. And you have just changed my boy's life.
'Thank you from the bottom of my mama heart.'
Tom Brady ran over to young cancer survivor Noah Reeb, nine, in the crowds to hand him a Tampa Bay Buccaneers cap, after his team's win over the Chicago Bears on Sunday night
Overwhelmed by emotion, Noah burst into tears of joy and held his hands over his face when he was given the cap by Tom Brady
The young boy had been spotted towards the front of the crowd holding up a sign which read: 'Tom brady helped me beat brain cancer'
Nine-year-old cancer survivor Noah Reeb beams alongside his father James after being presented with a cap by Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady
Video footage showed Brady walking over to the stands and reaching up to place the Tampa Bay 'Crucial Catch' cap - which has been produced as part of the NFL's month-long cancer awareness campaign - on the boy's head.
Overwhelmed by emotions, the boy then bursts into tears and holds both of his hands over his face.
After after returning home, Noah's father James uploaded a short clip of the heartwarming moment and wrote: 'Noah's first NFL game. A dream come true. Still hard to believe.'
While Noah and his father were still at the game, the boy's mother Jacque took to Instagram to thank Tom Brady for his act of kindness
In December 2020, Noah, who is one of three siblings, was diagnosed with a brain tumor after initially suffering from severe headaches, and six months later it was found to have been eliminated. Pictured: Noah on July 14, 2021, two days before his final cancer treatment
Noah's parents James (left) and Jacque (right) documented his cancer journey on Instagram and were as emotional as their son when Tom Brady gave him his cap
Speaking earlier this year to KSL in Salt Lake City, Jacque described receiving Noah's diagnosis: 'It's like every mom's worse nightmare, and then instantly you want to protect him and you don't know what to do, so you just rely on faith from that point on.
'Faith and trust in God that whatever is going to happen is for a reason.'
Speaking during a post-match press conference, Brady spoke about the heartwarming encounter and said: 'Puts a lot in perspective, what we're doing on the field. In the end, it doesn't mean much compared to what so many people go through.
'We all try to make a difference in different ways and I think so many guys commit times to their foundations and to doing good things for the world.
Brady reached into the stands to place his gift on the boy's head before shaking his hand
'And the NFL does a lot of great things, so it's just nice to -- I always think you know do the best that you can do, under any circumstance. It was nice to see.'
The act of kindness rounded off a stellar night for Brady who also became the first player in history to throw 600 touchdown passes.
In the game, Tampa defeated the Bears 38-3, with Brady throwing four touchdown passes and star wide receiver Mike Evans scoring catching Brady's record pass.
Despite history having been made, Fox News reports that Evans gave away the ball thrown by Brady for his historic 600th touchdown pass to a fan in the crowd.
The act of kindness rounded off a stellar night for Brady who also became the first player in history to throw 600 touchdown passes
In the game, Tampa defeated the Bears 38-3, with Brady throwing four touchdown passes and star wide receiver Mike Evans scoring catching Brady's record pass
A member of the Tampa Bay staff reportedly later approached the fan and struck a deal to retrieve the ball - which could be worth as much as $500,000, according to Ken Goldin of Goldin Auctions.
Earlier this week, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced they had set up the Connection to Cancer Program in partnership with the Moffitt Cancer Center.
The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the importance of cancer screenings and early detection.
The initiative, which will run for a year, will highlight the stories of those affected by cancer, including Moffitt patients and survivors, as well as Buccaneers players and coaches.
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