Redskins Make Young Fan’s Wish, Reality

TOP LEFT: Susan, Steven, Jordan BOTTOM LEFT: Stacey and Scott

Ever since he could remember, 14-year-old Scott Gringauz has imagined what it’s like to watch his Redskins play a game at FedExField.  To be on the sidelines with his favorite player, Brian Orakpo, and to watch the Burgundy and Gold with the rest of the Redskins faithful.

But that’s a little tough when you grow up in Parkland, Fla., a distant southern outpost in Redskins Nation.

Up until Sunday, it was only a wish.  But with the help of the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Washington Redskins, Scott’s Sunday was a dream come true.

Scott was born with Crohn’s Disease, a chronic inflammatory disease of the intestines.  He is also allergic to all nuts, all fish and sesame seeds.  But on Sunday, he was just a football fan ready to watch his favorite team play.

Not only was Scott on the sidelines during the pregame warmup, he was also visited by No. 98.  Kneeling down to sign Scott’s football, Orakpo told him, “Hey man, I’ll see you later.”

Both of Scott’s parents, Susan and Steven, graduated from University of Maryland College Park, which is the derivation of Scott’s fanhood.

“I’m a big Redskins fan,” he said.  “Living in Florida though, I get a lot of crap at school, especially after the Redskins-Dolphins game.”

Scott was actually at that game as well, and it was his first chance to ever lay eyes on the Redskins in-person.

“It was an awesome experience, even if they didn’t play that well,” he said, looking around at FedExField.  “I like this stadium a lot.  It’s a lot nicer than the Dolphins’ stadium.”

I would tend to agree.

According to Mom, Scott’s room is totally decked out in Burgundy and Gold, and his autographed football will be the crown jewel.  Scott also said that he hopes to be a sports broadcaster someday, and he looked at ease on the Redskins’ sidelines.

Hey, maybe someday Rick ‘Doc’ Walker and Chris Russell will need a sidekick on gamedays.