CHILLICOTHE — For one young Bengals fan from Ross County, Sunday’s NFL game turned into a moment he’ll never forget.
Six-year-old Jeremiah Foster, a kindergartener at Unioto Elementary, caught more than just the excitement of the Cincinnati Bengals’ matchup against the Detroit Lions — he caught Ja’Marr Chase’s actual game gloves from the star wide receiver himself.
Jeremiah, who plays flag football and started at just three years old, was in the stands cheering on his favorite player when Chase scored his second touchdown of the night. According to his mom, Teyanna Thompson, Jeremiah shouted to the Bengals star — and to everyone’s surprise, Chase walked over and handed the boy his touchdown gloves.
“He screamed ‘thank you!’ and had tears in his eyes,” Thompson told The Scioto Post. “He said it was the best day ever!”
Chase’s gesture came after a standout performance that included six catches for 110 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a 15-yard grab with just a 12.5% completion probability, according to NFL Next Gen Stats. Even though it was a 37 to 24 Loss to the Lions, Ja’Marr was a standout player who attempted to rally the game.
While Jeremiah asked if he could wear the gloves at his flag football game this weekend, Mom said that might not happen — she plans to frame them instead.
“He wants to wear them, but I told him these are special,” Thompson said with a laugh. “We’ll remember this moment forever.”
Jeremiah’s favorite teams are the Cincinnati Bengals and Ohio State Buckeyes, and he says Chase has been his hero since he first saw him play. With a family full of football-loving uncles, Jeremiah was destined to fall in love with the game — but now he’s got a souvenir that makes his story one-of-a-kind.
