Touching picture of athlete befriending autistic student goes viral

Someone pass the tissues. 

When Leah Paske thinks back to middle school she remembers it as a painfully awkward time. 

"Several times lately I have tried to remember my time in middle school," she told Love What Matters. "Did I like all my teachers, do I even remember them? Did I have many friends? Did I sit with anyone at lunch? Just how mean were kids really? I do remember middle school being scary, and hard." 

Now a mother, Paske is experiencing fear again, but this time for her son.

"Now that I have a child starting middle school, I have feelings of anxiety for him, and they can be overwhelming if I let them." 

He's autistic, so starting at new school comes with a whole host of unique problems, including isolation. 

"Sometimes I'm grateful for his autism. That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him. He doesn't seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn't seem to notice that he doesn't get invited to birthday parties anymore. And he doesn't seem to mind if he eats lunch alone. It's one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today?

"Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it's nobody. Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn't seem to mind. He is a super sweet child, who always has a smile and hug for everyone he meets." 

That was until one day, he had a very special lunch buddy. His school was visited by football players from a local university. And one took a particular interest in the boy. 

"A friend of mine sent this beautiful picture to me today and when I saw it with the caption 'Travis Rudolph is eating lunch with your son.' I replied 'who is that?' He said 'FSU football player' then I had tears streaming down my face. Travis Rudolph, a wide receiver at Florida State, and several other FSU players visited my sons school today. I'm not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I'm happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten." 

It was only for a day, but it's a day that this mother will remember for a long time. 

"This is one day I didn't have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life!"