Pats player makes boy's dream come true

BOSTON, Mass. (WPRI) - The Tufts University Football team invited a young boy diagnosed with cancer to become an official member of their team Wednesday.

Riley Roman, 8, of South Hadley signed a letter of intent, declaring him an official "Jumbo", after meeting Patriots linebacker Rob Ninkovich in a Massachusetts hospital.

"I was at the hospital, just doing a visit and just happen to walk in his room," said Ninkovich.

Roman was an avid athlete before being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor and undergoing surgery twice.

Signing the letter of intent fulfilled his lifelong dream of joining a football team.

"The first time I met him, we kind of just hit it off," added Ninkovich. "We had a great time together and just stayed close and to this day we still talk."

Roman and the Jumbos were brought together by Team Impact, a non-profit organization working to improve the lives if kids fighting serious illnesses.