A few autograph stories warmed my heart this week. It’s amazing to think that one of them involves an NFL player. It seems when NFL players are mentioned in the news, it’s usually negative.

Here in San Diego, I’ve seen photos of fans getting Charger players autographs at scrimmages. Most cities with NFL teams have stories and photos like that, but this one was shocking.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding their training camp in Latrobe, Pa. Wide receiver Antonio Brown was signing autographs, and told a few fans something that he later posted online. He said a few weeks ago, “If I don’t get a chance to sign something for you at camp just send info to me.”

He then listed his dormitory room at St. Vincent College, which is a private Catholic school that the team is working out at (and has for more than 40 years). The small post office in town has noticed a lot of letters and packages coming in to them, and now Brown’s room is full of mail. It looks like a place you’d see on the show Hoarders.

He said he’d sign any item that was sent to him and the extra attention he’s getting doesn’t seem to be distracting him from the hard work on the field.  

He recently posted pictures of some of the things people have sent and wrote, adding “Signing and returning thank you everyone who keeping me busy motivated n inspired! Reading and signing through out down time”

It’s nice to hear about an athlete showing appreciation to the fans – who after all, help these guys make the millions they make.

The other heartwarming story involves Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling. Now, remember that 15-year-old girl named Cassidy Stay? She’s the Texan who survived a gunman that killed her mother, father, two younger sisters and two younger brothers back on July 9^th. She was shot, but played dead.

Everyone was moved to tears when at the memorial a few days later, the teenager quoted character Albus Dumbledore from Harry Potter. She said, “Happiness can be found even in the darkest times if one only remembers to turn on the light.’ She continued, “I know my mom, dad, Bryan, Emily, Becca, and Zach are in a much better place and that I’ll be able to see them again one day. Stay strong.”

Supposedly an online campaign got Rowling’s attention, and she wrote to Cassidy in the voice of Dumbledore.

The handwritten note was written in purple ink, and also included a wand, as well as an acceptance letter to Hogwarts – the school the wizards all attended. Rowlings, knowing that school will be starting soon, also included various school supplies, as well as an autographed book.

I just love stories where famous people can send letters or signed items to people that are grieving or fighting terminal illnesses. It was a class move by Rowling.