TAMPA, Fla. -- First came a surprise birthday phone call while he was recovering in the hospital. Then an autographed jersey. Now Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick will honor George Amedeo by wearing cleats this week to honor the National Compassion Fund as part of the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" initiative.
Amadeo, 18, is a gamer and a survivor of the Jacksonville, Florida, "Madden NFL 19" tournament shooting on Aug. 26. Amadeo, who goes by the gamer tag "FitzMagic13," suffered a gunshot wound to his foot and ankle area and told ESPN that Fitzpatrick's surprise "was totally unexpected and brightened my spirits during a very dark time.