Jonnie get a warm welcome from the Saints

After scoring his first touchdown as a professional football player on Oct. 6, running back Reggie Bush of the New Orleans Saints turned to the home crowd and pointed to a seven year old Jonnie Shirley.

Prior to the National Football League game received a warm welcome from New Orleans Saints’ mascot “Gumbo”. Jonnie has been battling Langerhans Cell Histiocyctosis, an overproduction of a specific type of white blood cells, since he was six weeks old.

“This one was for you, Jonnie,” said the 6-foot, 203 pound NFL rookie and winner of the 2005 Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the outstanding College Football player in the country.

Reggie Bush’s astonishing touchdown lifted the Saints to a 24-21 come-from-behind victory over the Tampa Bay Bucaneers.

“It was awesome,” said Jonnie's father, Brian Shirley.

“I thought it would be great for Jonnie to see a football game so I e-mailed the Saints organization,” Brian said. “The next day, I received a call from coach Payton who invited us to tour the facility. Talk about southern hospitality.

“We attended practice and all of the players signed the practice ball and presented it to Jonnie. He came away with two balls, both signed by all the players.”

After the game, Jonnie visited the Saints' lockerroom and was presented with the game ball by head coach Sean Payton. All the players then signed the ball.

The players also gave Jonnie the nickname “Jon Dog,” and he received a complete youth football uniform, including helmet and jersey.

Read more at the Philly

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January
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December
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•Cardinals 24, Saints 31
•Bush Out For the Year 12/12/07
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•Buccaneers vs. Saints Preview 12/02/07


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