When Tim Tebow, the former NFL quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner, came to Hartford to play some baseball this week he also took the time to reach out to a special fan.
According to her boyfriend, Mary Catherine Hydrick, known to her friends as MC, is a huge Tebow fan. The 23-year-old is also battling leukemia.
“My girlfriend was just recently diagnosed with leukemia and her dream has been to meet Tim Tebow,” her boyfriend, Austin Ramos, explained.
MC is currently in Georgia going through chemotherapy. Ramos lives in Springfield, Mass. attending college and Skypes with her every night. When Ramos found out The Hartford Yard Goats were playing Tebow's team, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, he and his friend Christie Idiong headed down to Dunkin’ Donuts Park.
“I was pretty determined to have that happen for him. I've met MC and she's such a sweet girl,” Idiong said.
While Tebow was signing autographs, Ramos and Idiong explained MC’s story, and Tebow helped them record a special video message.
“MC how you doing? I’m just hanging here with your friend. I know you’re going through a tough time but we’re just thinking about you. I’ll be praying for you God bless you – got an awesome plan for your life. Keep fighting and being an inspiration. God bless,” Tebow said in the video as he stood alongside Idiong.
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Ramos said MC is a very religious person and it meant a lot to her that Tebow reached out.
“I sent her the video and she's just started bawling her eyes out. it just means the world,” he said.
“Anything he would say to her would definitely raise her spirits,” Idiong added.
Tebow started in the minors last year playing in Single-A but moved up this season to Double-A. This is his first visit to Hartford, though the Yard Goats did play against Tebow last season in Binghamton.
