A once-in-a-lifetime Super Bowl wish

Caleb, an 18-year-old from Pinole, loves sports, especially football, and plays basketball for his high school team.

He’s used to the occasional sports injury but in January 2020, he experienced a different level of pain that changed a lot in his life.

Christa, his mom, recalls, “One day he called me and said, ‘Mom, my tailbone really hurts.’ I called the doctor and we got an MRI. Before we could even get home from the MRI, the doctor called to tell me to go straight to Stanford Hospital because there’s something wrong with Caleb. He has a tumor.”

Caleb was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma. He spent 75 days in the hospital and underwent a year of radiation and chemotherapy. He completed his treatment in November 2020 and thankfully has not had any major complications since then. However, after blood transfusions, he has needed therapeutic phlebotomy to keep his iron levels at a normal level.

During the time he was in the hospital, Caleb learned that he would receive a wish from Make-A-Wish. Christa says, “Make-A-Wish has been such a great thing for him, because during this really hard time, we got to focus on what he was going to do after he was done with all these grueling procedures."

“Make-A-Wish has been such a great thing for him, because during this really hard time, we got to focus on what he was going to do after he was done with all these grueling procedures."

Christa, Caleb's mom

Although his mom suggested a trip to the Bahamas, Caleb set his sights on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that connected back to his love of sports. Christa says: “He said, ‘No, Mom, I really want to go to the Super Bowl. There will never be a time in my life when I’ll ever be able to do that.’”

In late 2021, after arduous but successful treatments, Caleb joined his classmates as a junior for two days a week at school. And on February 2, 2022, to his teenage embarrassment, Caleb learned at his school’s weekly assembly that his wish would be coming true. The countdown to the Super Bowl was on.

Caleb finds out his wish is coming true in his high school auditorium

Watch Caleb's Wish Reveal video

Caleb was a part of a group of 15 kids from across America who were flown to Los Angeles and treated like stars during the five-day event.

On Wednesday, the rock star treatment began even before his flight when Caleb got a behind-the-scenes experience with Southwest Airlines, met the pilots, and toured the cockpit. Then Caleb and his dad Jeffrey, mom Christa, and younger sister Regan arrived in LA to more VIP treatment.

Caleb was greeted at the flight gate with signs and balloons, and other goodies. Plus waiting inside the hotel room was tons of swag, including autographed items and selected gifts from the NFL league. And a corporate partner, Build-A-Bear, donated a bear for each wish kid dressed in their favorite team’s uniform.

Caleb is surrounded at the airport with a warm welcome.

Colin and his father at NFL honors. — Caleb and his dad at the NFL Honors event.

On Thursday, each kid and one family member dressed up to attend the Honors NFL event. Caleb (in a suit) and his dad were whisked to the Red Carpet where they were among many athletes, celebrities, and other wish kids as well.

On Friday, the group went to SoFi Stadium where they watched a live taping of NFL Network’s morning show. The families viewed the national anthem warmups and toured the mid-level of the stadium. Then on the stadium’s lower level, they were escorted to the VIP suites behind the endzone. Later, after a generous lunch, they went to the Super Bowl Experience Fan Festival at the LA Convention Center. With VIP bands on their wrists, they fast-passed the lines for games and were escorted to take photos with the Vince Lombardi Trophy before the doors opened.

On Saturday, the day before the Super Bowl, the wish kids were surprised with custom-made authentic Super Bowl jerseys. Since Caleb was rooting for Cincinnati, he received a Bengal’s jersey with the Super Bowl number 56 on the front. At Universal Studios that same day, the wish kids and their families celebrated together as many enjoyed the rides as a group. The 15 kids and families were brought together because each kid has a critical illness, but an overall camaraderie and friendships blossomed out of their experience.

On Super Bowl Sunday on February 12, donning his new custom jersey, and with his family and new friends by his side, Caleb cheered on the Bengals. Though the team Caleb was rooting for lost by just 3 points (Rams 23 to Bengals 20), Caleb had an incredible time partaking in the Super Bowl and related activities. His mom says that they are on “cloud nine” from the experience.

Caleb and the others received one last surprise before departing Los Angeles. One of Make-A-Wish’s great supporters, celebrity wish granter Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, had one more special gift: he had overnighted his popular Project Rock Headphones for each wish kid.

It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these wish kids to share in their love of football at the Super Bowl. Christa said, “Make-A-Wish has done such a great job in helping us have hope.”