Tim Tebow Surprises Teen Battling Cancer—Watch the Heartwarming Video!

Football star has always made his charitable foundation a top priority

By McKenna Aiello Oct 01, 2015 11:37 PMTags

So AWESOME to watch Tim Tebow surprise our new friend Nathaniel at Wolfson Children's Hospital! What an incredible young man!

Posted by Tim Tebow Foundation on Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Tim Tebow might not be strapping on his pads and helmet this football season, but he is making a difference in the life of one deserving teen. 

As a part of the star athlete's charity, the Tim Tebow Foundation, Tim recently surprised 13-year-old Nathaniel Nelson in his hospital bed at Wolfson Children's Hospital in Jacksonville, Fla., and the whole heartwarming encounter was caught on video. 

Completely unbeknownst to the young cancer patient, who has been battling leukemia since August, the incognito video shows Tebow casually walking in and asking Nathaniel, "How are you doing, buddy? Can I get a hug?" Without a beat, Nelson becomes completely overwhelmed with emotion, bursting into tears and laughter before hugging Tim in the sweetest embrace. 

Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

Like any loyal Tebow fan, Nelson's bed is decked out in Florida Gators gear, the University of Florida team headed up by the now 28-year-old Tebow when he became the first college sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy in 2007.

President and executive director of the foundation Erik Dellenback told People the two "talked for awhile, and then played video games for about 40 minutes. Nathaniel beat Tim, which was outstanding."

Watch the video above to get a glimpse of the amazing interaction between Tim and Nathaniel, but get your tissues ready first! 

Watch: A Sit Down with Tim Tebow