KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Editor's Note: If you'd like to donate to Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee, click here.
We are about four months away from the opening of the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, and we are excited to start the countdown with a special series to benefit Make-A-Wish of East Tennessee.
Make-A-Wish creates changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Like the athletes in the Olympics -- these children face adversity with bravery, determination and lots of support.
For the next few months leading up to the Summer Olympics, we are teaming up with children from Make-A-Wish East Tennessee to show you that they, too, have the hearts of a champion.
Tuesday's featured kid is named Sam Long. Sam recently received his "super" wish. He got to go to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas! Sam is also teaming up with Robin and will cheer her on as she trains at D1 Knoxville in track and field.
Recently, Sam got to visit and receive a full tour of Neyland Stadium. He got to visit the media center where all the post-game press conferences were held and even had his name lit up in lights on the jumbotron. When asked who Sam's favorite football player was, he confidently said, "Josh Dobbs," without missing a beat.
As the tour came to a close, Sam along with his family stepped onto the playing field. After looking around for a moment, Sam said that Neyland Stadium was going to be his new home and his family could just leave him there.
"You guys go on home, I'll be here. This is my new home," Sam said.
Soon after Sam's declaration, Josh Dobbs walked onto the field, shaking Sam's hand and asking him how he was.
"You think you can come to Rocky Top and not say what's up?" Dobbs said.
Sam seemed almost too stunned to speak as his favorite player stood in front of him. Dobbs asked Sam what his favorite part of the trip to Neyland was. Sam once again responded without missing a beat and said that being on the field was the most memorable part of the day.
"They even got your name on the jumbotron," Dobbs said. "You can see it like all the way downtown Knoxville."
After the introduction, Sam and Dobbs huddled up for words of wisdom that apply both on and off the field.
"As a coach, you've got to be extremely positive in how you coach them up and telling them exactly what you want them to do. Does that sound good," Dobbs said.
Soon after, they gathered around for a photo on the field to end the very eventful day.
For Sam -- his journey began 19 years ago in an orphanage in China. Born with a severe heart condition, parents Vicky and Rick Long helped navigate Sam through a seemingly endless amount of doctor visits and surgeries.
"We had just adopted our daughter, and we had been home for about six weeks and we found out about Sam. The orphanage had asked if there was anyone in America that was willing to help, and we said 'How could we not?' He joined our family and started having his surgeries as soon as possible," Vicky said. "I can remember at the age of two, he had major heart surgery. There was an older gentleman who had pretty much the same surgery as Sam. We heard his wife fussin' at him, 'If that baby can do it, you can do it.'"
Other diagnoses would follow -- from epilepsy, Graves' disease, and a genetic disorder called DiGeorge Syndrome.
"It takes a big toll. Everything... there's just so much. Doctor visits, overnight stays, the medications," Rick said.
"At last count, we're up to 18 pills a day," Vicky said. "There's a lot, but we wouldn't change it for anything. He's one the biggest blessings in our life."
Despite the physical complications, Sam is still "all heart," and football holds a special place in it. He's been active as a team manager in school.
"I help fill up the water bottles. Help out the players, and I just get them ready for the game," Sam said.
In February, Sam and his parents had a wish fulfilled -- to go to the Super Bowl.
"It's just the number one sport that's on right now. And since nothing else is going on, I just like watching it," he said.
Sam, who cheers for the Titans and Steelers by the way, said he isn't looking forward to just one certain thing. He's looking forward to it all.
"Probably just going to the game. I've never been to the Super Bowl before... I'm hoping to see what it's like to be there and yeah, that's pretty much it," Sam said.
For Vicky and Rick -- it's a chance to make precious memories with the man they said is their hero.
"People tell us all the time how much we've blessed Sam and how we've changed his life, and it's like, 'You have no idea.' We're the ones who've been blessed," Vicky said. "We've not blessed him, he's blessed us."
If you'd like to help future wishes like Sam's, you can donate to Make-A-Wish East Tennessee at this link.