The Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns played one of their most important games in years Thursday, but all eyes were on Leah Still.
The Bengals honored the 4-year-old daughter of Bengals defensive tackle Devon Still with an on-field ceremony where they donated $1.3 million to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital in Leah’s name after the first quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Leah is battling stage 4 neuroblastoma.
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A video montage of Devon and Leah Still set to Sara Bareilles’ song “Brave” played on the JumboTron, per ESPN, and the crowd chanted Leah’s name. Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer hugged Still during the ceremony.
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Leah understandably was overwhelmed by all of the attention, but she was as happy as can be once she got to watch her dad play live for the first time.
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And even though there wasn’t exactly a storybook ending — the Browns blew out the Bengals 24-3 — Devon Still was doing everything he could to make Leah’s night.
“It’s going to be added motivation just knowing that my daughter is watching me,” Still said this week, via ESPN. “I want her to be able to hear how the crowd cheers loud whenever I make a tackle, so I’m going to go out there and do whatever I can do to put a smile on her face.”
Photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
Photo of the Night
Graphic designer Mark Avery-Kenny created Disney-themed logos for all 32 NFL teams.
Tweet of the Night
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton probably was booed Thursday for completing 10-of-33 pass attempts for 86 yards, zero touchdowns and three interceptions, but NFL executive Joe Browne had another theory.
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Video of the Night
If all the Leah Still coverage Thursday night made you a little emotional, then this video of Shaquille O’Neal singing pop songs should cheer you right up.
