Audrey Soape is an 11-year-old who has already endured more pain than most adults.The middle schooler from Texas lost her father suddenly and then her grandfather to lung ca ncer in 2021, so with the daddy-daughter dance coming up at her, Audrey\u2019s mom decided to organize something really special.Despite living in Austin, Audrey is a huge fan of Virginia native and Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Anthony Harris.<\/p>\n
Audrey\u2019s mom Holly, who is also a big fan, reached out to him on social media asking if he would take her daughter to the dance.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s kind of far-fetched\u2026it\u2019s a big ask,\u201d Holly told ABC News. \u201cI just asked if he would come\u2014if he\u2019d be willing to come. And he said, \u2018not only will I come, I want to make sure she feels like a princess.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
Not only did Anthony fly across the country to surprise Audrey, he also covered the cost of her dress, shoes, hair, and makeup.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe had a car with a driver come to the house and pick her up,\u201d Holly told ABC News. \u201cHe really wanted to make sure she had the best possible time.\u201d<\/p>\n
It was clear from pictures posted on social media just how surprised Audrey was to meet her favorite player.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was super nervous but I was also super excited,\u201d Soape told KYW in Philadelphia. \u201cAnd I was like preparing myself all week because it was going to be fun, but I was super nervous. I didn\u2019t know what to say.\u201d<\/p>\n
Thankfully the 30-year-old former Minnesota Vikings player knew exactly what to do.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery time I think he could see she was getting nervous, he would just engage in conversion with her,\u201d Holly, the former Minnesota native, told KYW. \u201cHe kept her laughing, he kept her dancing on the dance floor.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018Show support for them\u2019
\nAnthony said the family had followed him on social media offering words of encouragement and prayers throughout his career and he just wanted to take time to notice and give back.He also learned a lot from spending time with an 11-year-old who has lost so much in such a short space of time.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou gotta cherish these moments. You never know how long we have here on this Earth,\u201d Anthony said. \u201cSo, the people that you care about, and you love, show support for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Such a wonderful surprise for an 11-year-old who has suffered the unimaginable. I\u2019m glad she was made to feel so special by this true gentleman and big hearted football player. Full video below<\/p>\n