Menelik Watson gives game check to family of ailing 4-year-old

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Tiny Ava Urrea and enormous Menelik Watson produced one of the more heartwarming stories of the football season.

The 4-year-old was a special guest at the Bills-Raiders game Sunday, the culmination of a big weekend. The Urrea family — mom Amy, Raiders-fan dad Edward, Ava and her 6-year-old brother, Gabriel — spent three days in the Bay Area, on a trip arranged and paid for through Jay Glazer’s foundation, Touchdown Dreams. The Fox broadcaster had learned of Ava’s story and reached out to the Urrea family, which lives in Las Vegas.

Ava was born with hypoplastic left-heart syndrome. Her heart didn’t develop correctly and she has basically half of a heart. Her first open-heart surgery came when she was just five days old. She since has had two more open-heart surgeries and more than 20 surgeries in her young life. There is no cure.

“We are enjoying each moment and praying,” Amy Urrea said, noting how emotional she got last month when Ava turned 4.

“Every milestone is such a big deal,” she said.“We’re making memories for our family.”

Ava Urrea, who has a heart condition, is held by Edward, her dad. The Urreas were given a game check by Menelik Watson. Ava Urrea, who has a heart condition, is held by Edward, her dad. The Urreas were given a game check by Menelik Watson. Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Photo: Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Menelik Watson gives game check to family of ailing 4-year-old 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

One astounding memory came thanks to Watson. The Raiders’ offensive tackle, who was out again Sunday with an ankle injury, met the Urrea family Friday, when Ava was the honorary captain for practice and had lunch at the facility. He had his game paycheck in his hand and decided on the spot to give it to the Urrea family.

“I felt like if there was anything I can do I wanted to do it,” Watson said. “I have a daughter of my own, who is 6. It just felt right to me.”

He went upstairs to the Raiders’ payroll office and asked how he could sign his game check over to the family. Watson makes more than $36,000 each game. His check, after taxes, was about half of that. He handed Edward an envelope.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Edward said, upon opening the envelope and seeing its contents.

The Urreas hope to use the surprise as seed money to start a foundation for other families dealing with Ava’s condition. The young son of Carolina tight end Greg Olsen also has the condition. Doctors have told Amy and Edward that Ava won’t survive past her early teens, but they also know that expectations and advancements in science could change her prognosis dramatically in the coming years.

The Urreas had to buy an extra suitcase to bring home all the Raiders’ gear and gifts from the weekend. Ava was decked out in black from head to toe. Some of Watson’s generosity might help pay for a new costume from the movie “Frozen,” the gift that Ava hopes Santa will bring her this week.

Ann Killion is a San Francisco Chronicle columnist.