I wish to announce the New York Giants' first round pick at the NFL Draft
Sam
19
heart condition
Sam Wins At The NFL Draft
It was a wish that was a lifetime in the making, when four globally recognized entities banded together with Make-A-Wish to change the life of a young man named Sam Prince.
Those entities? The New York Football Giants, Eli Manning, the NFL and ESPN.
The wish? To announce the 1st-round draft pick for the Giants in Las Vegas at the NFL Draft.
The impact? Immeasurable.
Sam, now 19 years old and having faced a lifetime of medical challenges, including a heart transplant, has been a fan of the Giants for as long as he can remember. From going to games to throwing draft parties himself, to even hosting his own podcast, Sam is a fan in the truest sense of the word.
When Sam was asked that powerful question that brings the mission of Make-A-Wish to life – “if you could have one wish, what would it be?” – Sam didn’t hesitate.
He wished to make the first round draft pick on national television for Big Blue.
As plans for the 2022 Draft went underway, Sam’s moment was at the front of the minds of dedicated partners at the Giants organization and the NFL, as well as ESPN, a longtime partner of Make-A-Wish with the “My Wish” series. They joined together immediately to help create and capture an experience for Sam he couldn’t have possibly imagined.
Sam’s wish began with a trip to the stadium under the guise of a ticketing issue, only to be surprised with a VIP tour by his favorite Giant and hero, Eli Manning. After a day filled with one surprise visit after another, including time with co-owner, President & CEO John Mara, Sam was then taken into General Manager Joe Schoen’s office with Head Coach Brian Daboll, to find out that he was headed for Vegas to represent his hometown team at the NFL Draft.
While backstage in Las Vegas before the draft, Sam met NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. Just before heading on stage, he was given the name to read on behalf of the New York Giants – Kayvon Thibodeaux - the very player he’d told Mr. Mara he would pick if it were up to him.
Sam’s moment on stage reached billions worldwide. Eli Manning even took to social media with recognition of Sam’s infectious energy, sharing that “My boy, Sam, won the draft last night.”
Sam’s wish represents the ripple effect that a wish can have on an entire community – from towns to cities, to states, to an entire nation. These four leaders in the professional sports world came together under one belief - wishes restore hope, and that hope is essential in the fight against a critical illness.
My boy, Sam, won the draft last night.
Eli Manning
