A 10-year-old San Antonio boy who traveled more than 250 miles to watch his favorite high school football team play got to join the players’ postgame celebration Friday night.

Ty’Resi Cline, who has cerebral palsy, and his family went to see North Crowley face Waxahachie on Oct. 9, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported.

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Ty’Resi’s fandom began in March, when he watched North Crowley’s boys basketball team beat San Antonio Brennan 65-52 in the UIL Class 6A Division I state championship at the Alamodome. He later watched the school’s football highlights on YouTube and became a fan.

“He loved the way that [North Crowley] played as a family,” his mother, Andresi Tate, told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “He just fell in love with the team.”

Because cerebral palsy prevents Ty’Resi from playing football, his family wanted him to experience the sport from the sidelines. His grandmother, Laura Tate-Mills, contacted North Crowley’s football program to ask about arranging a special experience. Astin Greer, the team’s director of football operations, helped secure a sideline pass for Friday’s game.

Ty’Resi watched No. 3 North Crowley defeat top-ranked Waxahachie, 42-17. Afterward, players welcomed him into their celebration and postgame huddle.

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The biggest surprise came after the final whistle.

Head coach DeMarcus Harris invited Ty’Resi into the postgame huddle and introduced him to the players, who chanted, “Love you, bro.”

When Harris asked Ty’Resi to name his favorite player, he replied, “No. 2 was going crazy,” drawing cheers from the team. He was talking about junior wide receiver Damarion Mays, who had 115 receiving yards, including an 80-yard touchdown.

Mays approached Ty’Resi and gave him a North Crowley-branded towel. Ty’Resi raised it proudly as the players cheered.

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Ty’Resi joined the team’s postgame prayer, danced during its traditional whistle celebration and helped break down the huddle.

“That was fun,” Ty’Resi told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “In that moment, I felt like I had some genuine brothers from football.”

His mother, Andresi Tate, said the experience was a dream come true and that her son was overcome with emotion.

“He couldn’t do anything but cry. And they were tears of joy,” Tate said.

Ty’Resi hopes to attend another game. His mother thanked the team for welcoming him.

“Thank you so much for taking my baby in and making him feel like a part of the team, even if it was just for one night,” Tate said.

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This article originally published at San Antonio boy joins North Crowley players’ postgame celebration.