CHARLOTTE - Fans and players alike "did the wave" in a unique and impactful way during last Sunday's game at Bank of America Stadium.
As a part of the NFL's Crucial Catch cancer awareness initiative, the team honored 21 pediatric cancer patients from Levine Children's Hospital for the Giants game. During the second quarter, fans were encouraged to give a collective wave of support to the children in an effort to encourage them to "Keep Pounding" in their individual battles with cancer. The response from the stadium - and the sidelines - was overwhelming and created a memorable shared moment of uplifting encouragement.
Each child had its initials displayed on players' helmets during the game. The day before the game, players had the opportunity to meet the children they were playing for during a special post-practice program, which created some immediate special bonds between the players and young patients. The children and their families then enjoyed a game day experience in a suite.
The wave of support idea paid homage to a recent tradition established at the University of Iowa in which a wave of support is directed to a children's hospital that overlooks Kinnick Stadium.
View photos of pediatric cancer patients from Levine Children's Hospital as they meet players after practice on Saturday.
