Eagles star player Saquon Barkley sends Florida boy to Super Bowl after devastating flag football injury
Eagles star player Saquon Barkley sends Florida boy to Super Bowl
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has arranged for 12-year-old Mason Doherty of Winter Park, Florida, to attend the Super Bowl. Doherty suffered a severe injury during a flag football game in October, leading to temporary paralysis from the waist down. His diagnosis, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), affects motor and cognitive functions. After weeks of intensive therapy, he has started to regain movement. Barkley and the Eagles became aware of his story and decided to surprise him with a trip to the big game.
ORLANDO, Fla. - A star player for the Philadelphia Eagles has organized a trip to the Super Bowl for a young fan in Florida recovering from a serious football injury.
‘I can tell you’re a tough guy’
What we know:
Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley has arranged for 12-year-old Mason Doherty of Winter Park, Florida, to attend the Super Bowl.
Doherty suffered a severe injury during a flag football game in October, leading to temporary paralysis from the waist down. His diagnosis, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), affects motor and cognitive functions.
After weeks of intensive therapy, he has started to regain movement. Barkley and the Eagles became aware of his story and decided to surprise him with a trip to the big game.
What we don't know:
Doctors have yet to determine the long-term outlook for Mason’s recovery. While he has shown progress, it remains uncertain if he will fully regain his mobility. The extent of his continued therapy and potential complications from FND are also unknown.
The backstory:
Mason Doherty’s injury started with a mild concussion during a flag football game. Over the next few days, he lost sensation in his toes, which gradually spread upward, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down.
His parents faced uncertainty about his ability to walk again, fearing an indefinite recovery process. After his diagnosis, Mason committed to rigorous physical therapy and began making strides toward regaining movement.
Throughout his hospital stay, he wore a Saquon Barkley jersey, an indication of his admiration for the Eagles' star.
What they're saying:
Mason’s father, Curt Doherty, described the uncertainty surrounding his son’s condition.
"[The loss of feeling] started in his toes, worked his way up every day," he said. "There was a lot of unknown. A lot of fear."
On Mason’s recovery, Curt expressed pride in his son's perseverance through intense physical therapy and training.
"I think he did a fantastic job just kind of taking one day at a time. He really handled it very well when it was very scary."
Mason donned a Saquon Barkley jersey as he rolled around the hospital in a wheelchair and completed therapy. Barkley personally reached out to Mason with an invitation.
"What’s up Mason?" Barkley said in a video delivered to the Doherty Family. "I just wanted to let you know I heard your story, and I can tell you’re a tough guy."
He went on to invite him and a person of his choice to attend the big game.
"I also know that you live in Florida, but I was hoping you would make the trip out to New Orleans to see us play… we’d love for you to be there."
Curt and Mason landed in New Orleans via private jet, excited to enjoy a weekend of festivities and celebration.
"We're going to be having some fun this weekend for sure," he said.
Mason still has a long road to recovery, though his father is thankful the family has support along the way.
"[We] went from this kind of dark, scary, lonely place to we’re completely surrounded by community," he added.
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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by Curt Doherty and Saquon Barkley.