NFL Panthers Sign Six-Year-Old To One-Day Contract As Part Of ESPN's "My Wish"

Six-year-old George Gring, who was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma last year, “got to live out his dream” yesterday by “becoming a Panther for a day and sharing the field with his idol,” QB Cam Newton, according to Curry Shoff of the CHARLOTTE OBSERVER. Gring and Newton “walked into practice together wearing matching gold cleats and spent time together stretching and tossing the football.” Gring signed a one-day contract with Panthers GM Dave Gettleman and his signing bonus was a “massive jar of Kit Kat candy bars and Skittles.” He spent the afternoon “watching practice, throwing the ball with players, attending film sessions with coaches, and hanging out” with Newton. Gring will return to Charlotte on Aug. 17, where he will “serve as the Panthers’ ‘Keep Pounding’ pregame drummer” against the Chiefs (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 6/18). Gring's day with the Panthers "will be a part of a 'My Wish' television series on ESPN in July" (ESPN.com, 6/17).