12-Year-Old’s Make-a-Wish Dream Comes True Thanks to This NFL Star’s Christian Example
ESPN's "SportsCenter" aired a "My Wish" segment last week featuring a 12-year-old boy with a chronic heart condition who met with Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, whom he admires because of his Christian faith. John Sperring, a 12-year-old from Dallas, Texas, who suffers from Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, met with Stroud as part of a partnership between ESPN and the Make-a-Wish Foundation, The Christian Post reported.
During the segment, Sperring shared how he was able to have the strength needed to undergo operations by "just praying to God that he would heal me." He also became a fan of the Houston Texans after frequent trips to a hospital in Houston have provided him with a view of NRG Stadium, where the NFL team plays.
Regarding Stroud, Sperring said he considers the quarterback to be a "very humble player" who "always puts God first in his interviews" and wishes he would meet him. While filming what he thought was a commercial, the young boy was informed during a live ESPN broadcast that his wish was coming true -- he was granted the opportunity to meet his hero in person at NRG Stadium, where he received VIP treatment.
During the in-person interaction, Sperring told Stroud that he admires him because he's a "great Christian." In response, the quarterback shared that his father was a pastor who "taught me a lot."
Stroud also gave Sperring jersey No. 7, which included Bible verses Psalms 34:15-18, Philippians 4:6-7, and Jeremiah 29:11. The jersey also included a personalized message from Stroud to Sperring, which said "Praying for you buddy!!"
"You love Jesus, I love that," Stroud told Sperring and encouraged him "keep that child-like faith."
Although Sperring's condition prevents him from playing football, the Houston Texans signed him to an "honorary one-day player contract" and allowed him to dress in complete football gear, including a jersey and a helmet. Sperring also got to meet other team members and head coach DeMeco Ryans.
WATCH: John Connects with C.J. Stroud on a Spiritual Level | SportsCenter
Stroud, 23, won Rookie of the Year in 2023 after being drafted with the second overall pick out of Ohio State University. When asked how he kept his composure during a 2023 post-game press conference, Stroud credited "a lot of prayer" and "a lot of just knowing that God wouldn't put anything on me that I can't handle."
"I don't deserve His grace and His mercy, but He still gives it to me, and I love Him for that. …I think God made me like that," he added.
On social media, Stroud's Instagram bio describes him as a "child of God."
Photo Credit: ©YouTube screen grab/ESPN
Originally published July 22, 2025.
