Jack Grealish’s England sixth goal celebration was an honor in dedication to his promise made to a young fan who had a special connection to the popular City midfielder.
The former Aston Villa hero honored a promise to a young fan with cerebral palsy by celebrating his goal in England’s first match of the 2022 World Cup with an arm-waving dance after the charming midfielder scored England’s sixth goal of the national team’s stunning 6-2 opener against Iran, after he was teed up by new forward Callum Wilson.
Grealish then turned to the camera and performed the celebratory dance, fulfilling the promise he had sworn to 11-year-old Finlay, a Manchester City fan who professed the Brummie was his favorite player and had even sent him a letter calling him a “hero”.
The young fan with the condition of cerebral palsy – similar to what Grealish’s sister Holly also has – said in his original letter to Grealish: “I wish there were more people in the world just like you who treat people with disabilities the same as anyone else.
“It makes me really happy when I see that you, a famous footballer, knows what it’s like to live with people with cerebral palsy.
“You’re my hero and the best big brother to your sister.”
The footballer wrote back when he sent a signed city shirt: “Finlay thank you for saying kind words about me being a good brother to my sister.”
Grealish later travelled to Finlay’s local amateur football club to meet up with his young admirer as part of a Premier League initiative called “fan mail” and the Brummie star told Finlay he was “really touched” by the letter and offered him a high-five, going on to promise that he would do a special goal celebration of the 11-year-old’s choosing.
Although Grealish refused to indulge Finlay’s first choice – “I can’t do the worm” – the pair then agreed on an arm-waving celebration before poignantly hugging goodbye.