As an infant, Donovan was diagnosed with a critical hematologic disorder.
Doctors told his parents their son would never be able to play sports, but Donovan has beaten the odds and is living an active life, including playing football.
The 10-year-old from Georgia loves the game and has been known to emulate the end zone moves of his favorite player, the Philadelphia Eagles’ DeSean Jackson. When the boy wishes to meet Jackson, he receives a message from the wide receiver that includes this suggestion, “Start working on your touchdown dance ’cause you’re going to need it once you’re up here in Philly.”
At first it’s all hard to believe, but Donovan is soon at Eagles’ headquarters and outfitted in team gear. He runs plays with the team and gets a chance to perform a celebratory dance in the end zone. His “ridiculously fun day” includes a trip with Jackson to a recording studio to “spit some rhymes.”
Donovan’s wish was one of the 2012 “My Wish” stories on ESPN’s
SportsCenter.