Watch the Commanders make cancer survivors’ dreams come true

The Washington Commanders practiced in front of thousands of fans Saturday at FedEx Field. While it was great to see Curtis Samuel score a touchdown after he sat out the previous three practices and take in all the other encouraging plays from the practice, the best highlight came before players took the field.

In a heartwarming locker room moment, Ron Rivera introduced the Commanders’ honorary guest , 11-year-old blood cancer survivor Josiah Desper. A Maryland native and Commanders fan, Desper wants to be a defensive lineman so he got to hang out with the DL at practice, including his favorite player Chase Young.

With Young still recovering from ACL surgery, Desper got to sub in for the former Defensive Rookie of the Year and rock a No. 99 jersey with his name on the back, which Young gave him amid applause from the locker room.

The Commanders made two cancer survivors’ dreams comes true at training camp.

Desper spent the entire night as Washington’s honorary guest and met several players, including Carson Wentz and Brian Robinson Jr., who was nice enough to autograph Desper’s No. 99 jersey. Doesn’t get much better than that, though it’s safe to say that wasn’t the only signature Desper received Saturday.

Credit to Ron Rivera, Young and the entire Commanders organization for coming together and giving Desper a day he’ll never forget. This is what it’s all about.

The Commanders were back in Ashburn for Monday’s practice, and they welcomed another special guest for the session; five-year-old Sophie Manning, who’s battled leukemia the last two years and just finished her chemotherapy treatments.

Like Desper, Manning was gifted a customized Commanders jersey. The only difference? Her favorite player is Chase Roullier, so she rocked No. 73 at practice. Here’s a clip of Manning meeting Washington’s veteran center.

The Make-A-Wish Foundation is truly something else. Here are some more clips of Manning getting introduced by Rivera and her day in Ashburn. Since she rocked a white jersey, Manning spent most of her time with the running backs, RBs coach Randy Jordan and assistant RBs coach Jennifer King.

You just knew Charles Leno was gonna sneak a wholesome moment in there. The Commanders’ left tackle is as compassionate as they come and even managed to convince Manning that he’s her favorite player, not Roullier.

This is just incredible by the Commanders. Football has been the focal talking point since camp started, but it’s nice to take a step back every now and then and give fans a moment they’ll cherish for the rest of their lives.