Taking advantage of some free time in the offseason, Atlanta Falcons’ running back Devonta Freeman went for a jog in his Florida neighborhood when he noticed an elderly woman mowing her lawn.
The young NFL star stopped his run and offered to help 82-year-old Eleanor Szendel finish up her landscaping. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, the woman respectfully declined that offer because she was almost finished up.
The former Florida State University athlete told Eleanor and her daughter-in-law, Denise, that he would come back anytime to help her in the future. After the trio started talking, Eleanor, an FSU fan, recognized the star and was tickled that he would stop to help her.
“My mom recognized him because she’s had all four of her kids, a daughter-in-law and son-in-law go to FSU over the last 12 years, and so she was like ‘You’re Devonta Freeman,’” said her son, Bryan Szendel, to the press.
Bryan posted a photo of Denise and Eleanor with Devonta to share the NFL athlete’s good deed with the world.
“She was just really touched that he stopped and helped her out like that,” Denise said.
This isn’t the first charitable stint for the former Seminole. According to Yahoo Sports, he found out about his first Pro Bowl selection while delivering Christmas gifts to families in need last year.
“I just really like meeting a young man who was so respectful. I just really liked the way he represented my kid’s school,” Denise said.
Photo Credit: Instagram (@bryanszendel)