The Raiders shared a special weekend with 4-year-old Ava Urrea and her family.
The Raiders shared a special weekend with 4-year-old Ava Urrea and her family. Through Jay Glazer's Touchdown Dreams Foundation, Ava traveled from Las Vegas to Oakland with her parents and 6-year-old brother to spend time with the Silver and Black.
Ava has hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which essentially means she only has half of a heart. With only one ventricle pumping blood, Ava fights for her life on a daily basis.
But the little Raiders fan is full of energy.
Friday, Ava visited Raiders headquarters where she was named honorary captain for practice and spent time with Interim Head Coach Tony Sparano and several members of the team.
As the family was eating lunch in the team meal room, T Menelik Watson surprised Ava and her family with one of his game checks. It was an unbelievably moving and generous gesture by the second-year offensive lineman.
The overwhelming, wonderful day for the Urrea family was only the first part of an incredible weekend.
Sunday, Ava spent all of pregame on the sideline, being greeted by all of her new Raiders teammates. Owner Mark Davis, the coaches, Watson, Woodson and more stopped by and made sure to give the young fighter high-fives, hugs and smiles.
Ava's experience was capped by an exciting Raiders win that seemed to be orchestrated just for her.
She made her way outside the locker room, where she gave out high fives to the winning team.
It's about more than football. Ava reminded us of that this weekend and we thank her and her family for that.
