From total destruction to the realization of a goal. That is how a 12-year-old Jimmy Butler fan would describe Tuesday night’s Miami Heat game.
Felipe and his sister Zoe flew from Argentina to Miami, more than 4,400 miles away, to watch Butler play for the Heat against the Boston Celtics. The placard read, “Dear Jimmy: We flew over 4405 miles to see you play,” and the brother and sister were holding it up. Can we get a picture or a coffee with a large face? However, a sad event occurred right before the game began: Butler’s absence was due to back pain.
Felipe And Zoe Traveled From Argentina To See Jimmy Butler Play
The small boy’s face showed the anguish and despair when a Heat usher informed Felipe and Zoe that Butler was not only not playing, but also not even present at the arena. At that point, Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat intervened to make things better for the visiting fan.
Video of Felipe receiving the horrible news speaks for itself. Butler won’t be playing and isn’t in the building, so he ditches his sign and his smile as soon as he is informed of this. The Miami Heat intervened to attempt to turn the situation around because none of this went unnoticed.
In an effort to salvage the unfortunate turn of events, the siblings were escorted down to midcourt at halftime and given some souvenirs. They had the opportunity to interact with some of the players and take pictures to remember the event. And just as Felipe and Zoe might have believed the adventure was done, they received yet another unexpectedly large surprise. TNT’s Jamal Crawford posted a carousel of images from the encounter to Instagram.
“Yesterday, this young kid was so hurt not seeing JB play. Today, his life was made! It’s so much more to the game than wins/ loses.. @jimmybutler is such a stand up guy. This is what it’s all about!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🙏🏾,” his caption reads.
In order to take photos, sign autographs, and offer the family a tour of the Heat’s locker room, Butler caught up with them at Miami-Dade Arena the day following the game. Butler posted pictures of the meeting and a beaming Felipe in his Instagram Stories.
The Story Hit Social Media And Fans Chimed In On The Experience
Many of Crawford’s fans commented on the post in the comment section to express their opinions on the depressing circumstance that turned out to be joyous. “So cool, often times the impact a player can have on a kids life by them just meeting him/her is life changing. Kudos to JB and the person who set this up 🙌🏾💪🏾,” said one follower. “This is what it’s all about! Seeing those kids smile is really a blessing,” wrote another.
Numerous people expressed their happiness that the tale’s outcome was as it was when NBA Buzz also shared the story on Facebook. “Jimmy will never allow those kids to go home upset and sad, pretty sure the staffs told him ’bout those 2 mid game or right after the game. Jimmy is a kind soul for sure. All LOVE right there 
,” one fan wrote. “This is the way a superstar should treat his fans. Good job to Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat,” said another.
Zoe also praised Butler and the Heat on social media for all they had done for her family. She tweeted images from the unexpected encounter along with her appreciation for the opportunity. “What a Surprise! thanks to you @JimmyButler man, we really don’t have Words to describe what it meant to us,” she tweeted.