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Children dealing with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions get the chance to be Jags player for the day

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Five families with children experiencing life-limiting or life-threatening conditions, got the opportunity of a lifetime this afternoon.

RELATED: ‘I set my sights on dreams’: Woman with paraplegia graduates from Flagler College after injury

The families are a part of Community PedsCare, a nationally recognized pediatric program for children in Northeast and North Central Florida living with complex, chronic, life-limiting or advanced illnesses

The children experienced what it was like to be a professional football player for a day at this 11th-annual event.

The morning started out with the five families posing in front of the Jaguar in front of EverBank stadium.

Families posed in front of the Jaguar statue outside EverBank Stadium. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

After taking photos they went inside Miller Electric Center where a surprise provided by EverBank Stadium and the Jags was waiting for them.

This included a place card with their name on it and then being told they were professional football players for the day.

Rose Wilcox got to experience being a Jaguar player for a day through the Community PedsCare organization. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

One by one, the children went up to sign their contracts and get a personalized jersey with their name on it.

“I’m shaking so much, like basically I didn’t know that,” Rose Wilcox said. “I thought we were just going for a football game. That’s what I thought but nope.”

Wilcox said today is one she’ll never forget because this was about making everyone in this room feel good.

Rose Wilcox got to experience being a Jaguar player for a day through the Community PedsCare organization. (Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX - All rights reserved.)

As a person with paraplegia, she added she was excited to experience this moment with other children, some with similar conditions like hers.

“I always thought that I was the only person with a disability or like this type,” Wilcox said. “But every time I see a person that has what I have, I just feel so happy but also sad for the person. The reason why I’m happy is because I know that I’m not alone.”

After everyone was done inside with their contracts and officially a Jaguars player for the day, it was time for them to head into their home stadium to get ready for their big game.

And as an official player, she had this message for her teammate, quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

“Congratulations on the baby,” Wilcox said.


About the Author
Khalil Maycock headshot

Khalil Maycock joined the News4JAX team in November 2022 after reporting in Des Moines, IA.

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