Philadelphia Eagles surprise boy with rare genetic disorder with special phone call

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Wednesday, January 3, 2018
Philadelphia Eagles surprise boy with rare genetic disorder with special phone call
A little boy with a rare genetic disorder received a very special phone call on Christmas Eve.

A little boy got the call of his life and was moved to tears.

Nine-year-old Giovanni Algarin suffers from Schwartz Jampel Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the development of bones and muscles.

On Christmas Eve, Eagles players and staff FaceTimed Giovanni. The phone call starts off with quarterbacks coach John DeFillippo. Coach DeFillippo introduces Coach Doug Pederson, who wishes Giovanni a merry Christmas.

Coach DeFillippo then invites Giovanni to the New Year's Eve game where the Eagles played the Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field.

Coach DeFillippo tells Giovanni, "There are some more guys that want to say hello to you. One's on crutches."

Giovanni realizes Coach DeFillippo is talking about Carson Wentz, and shouts, "Carson!"

Wentz tells Giovanni that the team is excited that he is coming to the game. Giovanni also says hi to quarterbacks Nick Foles and Nate Sudfeld.

After the phone call, Giovanni says, "oh my God" and starts to cry tears of joy.

Giovanni's mother, Shannon Algarin, says the whole family "just cried happy tears" after the phone call.

"He understands with his condition and because he will need full hip replacements one day that he will never be able to play, but Giovanni is determined to be a coach or general manager for the Eagles one day. His career path was set by this one experience I think," Algarin added.

Algarin also says Giovanni had the best day of his life on the day of the game.

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