Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning and Logan Brown of Evansville, Ill. (AP/GoFundMe)
A heartfelt letter from superstar quarterback Peyton Manning scored big with the family of one of his biggest fans, a teenager killed in March by a drunk driver.
The grandmother of Logan Brown, who was just 15 when he was killed in Evansville, Ind., hen he died, said the Denver Broncos' signal caller blew her away when he replied to a letter she wrote to the team telling the story of her grandson. She wanted Manning, who played most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts, to know he had lost a true fan, WFIE reports.
"As a grandmother I felt like I should let Peyton know this young man idolized him and what he meant in his life," Gayle Ricketts told the station.
"He's smiling. I think he will be happy."
Manning sent Ricketts a handwritten letter earlier this month, around the time of Logan's birthday, saying he was honored by Logan's admiration. Along with the note, the future Hall of Famer included an autographed picture.
“In memory of Logan Allen Brown,” Manning wrote above his autograph.
An autographed photo Peyton Manning sent to the family of Logan Brown. (WFIE/14News.com)
Ricketts said Logan became a fan of Manning after the family took him to a football game when he was young, and he followed Manning’s career from the Colts to the Broncos.
Logan's dad, Charles, said he was planning to take him to a Broncos game, but the day never came.
He called Manning’s letter and picture inspirational.
“It's important to see that they're humans and for these other kids to see you never forget where you come from,” Brown told WFIE.
"And I know Logan is up there looking down. He's smiling. I think he will be happy," Ricketts added.
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