![Florida State v Mississippi Bo Paske and mother Leah Paske are seen on the sideline prior to the Camping World Kickoff between the Florida State Seminoles and the Mississippi Rebels at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on Sept. 5, 2016.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/bo-paske-fsu.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
A Florida college football player who befriended a boy with autism in a story that touched the hearts of many around the world gifted the 11-year-old on Monday with an honorary jersey and free game tickets.
Florida State University wide receiver Travis Rudolph and Bo Paske embraced and smiled after the college junior surprised Bo with the presents during a ceremony. The maroon Florida State Seminoles jersey bears Rudolph’s number and Bo’s last name.
Their connection went viral last week after Rudolph, during a visit to Bo’s middle school, joined the Tallahassee boy for lunch because he was sitting in the cafeteria alone.
His mom Leah Paske previously told TIME that Bo no longer eats lunch by himself. “It makes me feel much better to know that people would surround him with love there,” she said on Friday.
She and her son watched their new hero and his team defeat the University of Mississippi on Monday night during the season opener.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Welcome to the Noah Lyles Olympics
- Melinda French Gates Is Going It Alone
- What to Do if You Can’t Afford Your Medications
- How to Buy Groceries Without Breaking the Bank
- Sienna Miller Is the Reason to Watch Horizon
- Why So Many Bitcoin Mining Companies Are Pivoting to AI
- The 15 Best Movies to Watch on a Plane
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com