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Adrian Peterson Speaks With 17-Year-Old Cancer Patient in Response to Twitter Hashtag Campaign

Adrian Peterson‘s incredible season on the football field finished up on Saturday in Green Bay, but the Vikings’ running back isn’t done doing great things just yet.

After becoming just the seventh player in NFL history to gain 2,000 rushing yards while leading the Vikings to an unexpected playoff berth, Peterson pulled off what is perhaps his most inspiring feat on Monday.

After receiving a bevy of Twitter requests about a Fairport, N.Y., teen battling a rare form of cancer, using the hashtag #APCallBlake, Peterson decided to pick up his phone and give 17-year-old Blake Cognata a call.

Peterson chatted with Cognata for a while, with the conversation spanning football, the teen’s fight with Ewing’s sarcoma and the teen’s faith, according to the Rochester Democratic & Chronicle. Cognata’s mother, Diane Calcagno, was impressed  by Peterson’s compassion and said Blake was incredibly move by the conversation.

“It was just the most amazing thing,” Calcagno said. “He’s been glowing all night.

“He told Blake not to give up and asked how long he had been sick,” Calcagno added. “Then he told Blake that he had his personal cell number and to call him anytime that he wanted to talk to someone.  He’s a very spiritual man and talked to Blake about his faith.”

Peterson just finished arguably the best season by any player in NFL history, yet he continues to amaze us. Talk about impressive, this guy isn’t just a world class athlete but he’s also a world class human. If only more athletes were so compassionate. Bravo!

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