The patients at Children's National Hospital made the good list again this year, and Santa Claus sent some special helpers to deliver the news.
The Washington Commanders' rookie class brought the holiday spirit to patients and staff at the Washington, D.C. hospital on Dec. 14. The rookies spent the day chatting and taking photos with patients and staff, as well as distributing reindeer antler headbands and gifts to everyone.
"I love being able to see the joy on kids' faces," said quarterback Jayden Daniels, who dressed as an Elf on the Shelf. "And obviously during different circumstances, obviously at the children's hospital yesterday, just to be able to go out there and bring some joy with them, interact with them."
It wasn't just Daniels' who got into the Christmas spirit with a costume; each rookie dressed up, sporting costumes ranging from elves to snowmen. Santa Claus even made an appearance thanks to quarterback Sam Hartman, who turned himself into Saint Nicholas.
Participating in the visit was made more special for wide receiver Luke McCaffrey, who collaborated with Children's National Hospital patient Riley during the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign earlier this season. Riley designed the logo for the cleats to support the Logan Project, McCaffrey family initiative that strives to help children's hospitals and pediatric cancer patients.
During the visit, McCaffrey surprised Riley with her very own pair of the cleats she designed.
"I know that it's so easy to get caught up in our own world, but at the end of the day we're playing a kid's game on a big stage and it puts so much into perspective of just how valuable life is," McCaffrey told WUSA9 reporter David Harrison of the experience. "To fight adversity and see somebody who's strong enough to do that at such a young age, it's nothing but inspirational."
