“I told him ‘I need to tell you something about one of the best things you ever did — and it’s outside of football or OU or anything like that,” James said. “You met a young kid about ten years ago — ‘

As luck would have it, James had an opportunity a year earlier to personally thank one of the men who had offered so much support to his late nephew when his son landed on the same tee-ball team as the son of former University of Oklahoma Sooners star and 2003 Heisman Trophy winner Jason White.

But in order to achieve his lofty goal of raising $50,000 through $100 donations, James would need something more than just casual word of mouth.

Not only did White remember James’ nephew, but he had been so moved by the experience that he jumped at the chance to offer his support when James came calling about Garrett a few months later.

“I had been blessed to be able to (give to Cody), and it’s no different in this situation,” White said. “They’re wanting to help the family out. Obviously their medical expenses and travel expenses and things are outrageous, so when he asked me, it was a no-brainer to help as much as I could and be a part of it.”

Much like James, White also lost a loved one to cancer when the disease took his mother’s life two years ago. The experience taught him the importance of even the simplest gestures.

“I got a firsthand experience in what it’s like to see a family member go through that,” White said. “I think it really just opened me up to try to do as much as I can to help out. When my mom was going through it, I could remember random people just coming by the house and saying hi to my mom. It would change her whole day.It made her smile and that meant a lot.”