Fourteen year old Bryson Shupe just lived a dream so big it filled an entire football field. What started as a small moment years ago between a young patient and a Carolina Panthers legend turned into a reunion that could melt even the coldest Lambeau day.
Back when Bryson was a heart transplant patient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, Greg Olsen was facing the same wait with one of his sons. Their families crossed paths in those heavy, hope-filled hospital halls, and something lasting formed. Levine Children’s later said the connection sparked a “deep love” for the Panthers in Bryson, a love that followed him long after he healed.
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Jump ahead eight years and Bryson is a healthy teenager who suddenly found out he’d been gifted a trip to historic Lambeau Field to watch his Panthers take on the Packers on November second. It wasn’t just a game. Bryson walked onto the field for warmups, met some of his favorite players, and strolled around the stadium in his custom number one jersey. Levine Children’s shared photos of Bryson beaming beside Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, exploring Lambeau, and standing tall in the broadcast booth.
That’s where the biggest moment waited. Greg Olsen turned, spotted the now-teen standing there, and immediately wrapped him in a hug. “Hey buddy! What’s up man? How are you? How’s this for a day?” he said.
For Levine Children’s, it was a joy to watch. “The perfect game day for the sweetest kid❤️. We’re so proud to see Bryson having the time of his life ❤️,” the hospital wrote.
And for kids facing their own battles, Bryson had something to share after the best Sunday of his life. He says to “Keep pounding … Keep your head up. Don’t be sad at all.”
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