The NFL draft can be cruel and harsh on many wannabe stars for the sport's highest level. It basically sees a large group of players picked for teams ready for the new season. But for many it can end with the same disappointment of being picked last for the school football team.

Some of the rejected bunch still do manage to latch on as a free agent, but it's likely they won't be remembered. Unless you're Travis Rudolph.

The receiver, from Florida, gathered national attention for his off-field actions rather than those on the pitch.

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Credit: Facebook

Last August, alongside several of his teammates, Rudolph visited a middle school in Tallahassee, to mingle with students. In doing so, Rudolph noticed a young boy sitting off to the side, eating lunch at the table by himself. Naturally, he joined him.

That young boy, Bo Paske, is autistic, and Rudolph sat and became his friend, making sure that the kid was not going to eat his lunch. His Mum, Leah, appreciative of the gesture, took to Facebook to thank the star, labelling him as a 'hero'.

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In the post, she wrote that most days she asks her son who he has sat with at lunchtime. "Most days it's nobody," she adds. When a friend sent her the picture of Travis Rudolph eating lunch with her son (once Leah had had it explained who he was), she 'had tears streaming down' her face.

Credit: Facebook

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"I'm not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son," she added. "But I'm happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten.

"This is one day I didn't have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes.

"Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life."

Rudolph, who caught 153 passes and had 18 touchdowns on his record with Florida State, will now try and ply his trade with the Giants.

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