ARLINGTON, TX — Many fans were unhappy with the outcome between the Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers during the NFL's Week 3 matchup on Sunday Night Football. The two teams battled through overtime, and still no winner was found in the 40-40 tie. One Green Bay Packers fan, however, may have had one of the best nights of his life.
Kian Francis, from San Angelo, is someone that all of San Angelo should know about at this point. The young man is a cancer survivor who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in January.
Kian is 15 years old and the son of Raymond, a veteran of the San Angelo Police Department, and Candace Francis.
As of August 21, Kian was officially declared cancer-free. At his follow-up appointment on October 7, all of his numbers looked good and were trending in a positive direction.
A huge football and Green Bay Packers fan, Kian had originally planned to attend a fish fry during the Packers and Cowboys game. Until Grey Ruegamer, the Green Bay Packers Director of Player Engagement stepped in. Ruegamer called Kian's father and asked if Kian would be interested in attending the game at Cowboys' Stadium instead.
Kristopher Parker, a close family friend, had sent the Packers organization a letter about Kian's situation before the start of the season, and the Packers delivered.
"Grey Ruegamer called Kian and talked to him, asking him how he was feeling. Then Grey called Ray (Kian's father) and asked him if he was off work on the 28th," Kian's mother, Candace Francis, said. "To which he responded, I actually took days off to do a fish fry with family and watch the game. Grey then said Well, what do you think about watching the game in person, because I have tickets for your family?"
Kian and his family received free tickets to the game and pre-game field passes, courtesy of the Green Bay Packers.
"On the day of the game, as we were getting ready to head to Arlington to watch the game, Grey texted Ray and said, 'I have four pre-game passes for ya'll," Candace recounted. "So we did not know about the pre-game passes prior to the game. It was a great surprise, and Kian was so excited. "
At Alrington, Kian was able to go down to the field before the game started to watch the teams warm up and meet some of the Packers before kickoff. The young man said his favorite part of the experience was meeting some of the Packers. One of those Packers was running back Josh Jacobs. Jacobs shook Kian's hand and signed some autographs before talking to the family for a time. Not much time has passed, but it is a memory that Kian is sure to remember forever.
Green Bay Packers Running Back Josh Jacobs and Kian Francis
Kian and his family returned to their seats for kickoff and were treated to one of the most entertaining NFL games this season. The Packers took the lead early before the Cowboys stormed back in the 2nd half. Both teams continued to trade scores until regulation expired. In overtime, the Cowboys kicked a field goal before the Packers returned the favor with another field goal as OT expired. The game ended in a 40-40 tie.
When asked about his experience, Kian expressed his gratitude and appreciation to the Green Bay Packers.
Cancer Survivor and San Angelo Native, Kian Francis
"Kian would like to say a huge THANK YOU to the Green Bay Packers organization for giving him this experience," Kian's mother, Candace Francis, said. " He is very thankful to get to have this experience and it is something he will not forget."
With all the negativity in the world, it is nice to see moments like this one. The Cowboys and Packers gave Kian an experience that will last a lifetime.
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