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PHILADELPHIA (WTXF/STORYFUL) - A young boy in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, had a New Year's Eve to remember when he attended the final Philadelphia Eagles game of 2017 after receiving a personal invitation from members of the team and the coaching staff.
Nine-year-old Giovanni Algarin, who suffers from Schwartz Jampel Syndrome, got a surprise FaceTime call on Christmas Eve from a number of members of the Eagles, who invited him to attend their December 31 game against the Dallas Cowboys.
Head coach Doug Pederson, assistant coaches John DeFilippo and Frank Reich, along with quarterback duo Carson Wentz and Nick Foles, FaceTimed Giovanni on Christmas Eve to invite him to the game.
Giovanni's mom, Shannon Algarin, said Giovanni and the family "just cried happy tears" after the call.
"He understands with his condition and because he will need full hip replacements one day that he will never be able to play, but Giovanni is determined to be a coach or general manager for the Eagles one day. His career path was set by this one experience I think," she told Storyful0.
Although the Eagles lost to the Cowboys, Shannon said Giovanni had the best day of his life.