I wish to be a professional lacrosse player Ezekiel, 11 cancer

Ezekiel has dreamed of being a professional lacrosse player for as long as he can remember. When he was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma shortly before his 11th birthday he feared that dream would never become a reality.

After learning that he had been referred to Make-A-Wish Colorado, Ezekiel received a letter stating that he would be granted a wish and his mind began racing with possibilities. His whole world revolves around lacrosse, so it wasn’t a surprise to anyone when he announced that his wish was to be a professional lacrosse player. Ezekiel had already had the opportunity to shoot around on the field with the Denver Outlaws and other professional lacrosse players, so to meet them was simply not enough. He wanted to be one of them – more specifically, he wished to be a professional lacrosse player, sponsored by Warrior Lacrosse and win games.

And so the experience began as it would for every true professional player. The weekend prior to his wish day, a Warrior representative attended one of Ezekiel’s lacrosse tournaments, introduced himself and expressed his interest in Ezekiel as an athlete. The following week, a limo pulled into Ezekiel’s driveway, ready to escort the newest Warrior pro to his first game. Hours before the game, Ezekiel visited the Denver Outlaws’ locker room, where he was surprised to find his own Outlaws jersey in a locker with his name on it. Both Warrior representatives and the Denver Outlaws’ coach fought for Ezekiel’s signature as he signed their contracts, joining both teams as their youngest pro to date.

Ezekiel then led his new teammates as they stormed the field, ready to defeat the Chesapeake Bayhawks. The Outlaws responded to every goal scored by their opponents as fans sat in the stands rooting for Ezekiel. He even got interviewed on the big screen at half time! After the Outlaws scored the game-winning-goal in sudden death overtime, the team hoisted Ezekiel onto their shoulders to celebrate in the middle of the field. Fans lined up for Ezekiel’s autograph as he made a grand exit and headed to the locker room to celebrate like a true champion.

It was a day Ezekiel will never forget and one he described as, “over-the-top, stupendous and unbelievable”. His wish to be a professional lacrosse player was more than a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it was a lasting memory that will propel him to dream big in the days ahead.