TOMS RIVER-Joey Cirillo of Toms River lost his football signed by retired NFL star and two-time Super Bowl champion Jonathan Casillas . Casillas, who ended his career as a member of the New York Giants won Super Bowl rings with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots.
The story began on Friday night at the Toms River High School North football game when Joey lost his football signed by Casillas on a trip to Met Life stadium.
“Some girls said they saw a group of kids take it and walk off. This ball is sentimental to Joey, he had it signed to match (sister) Leigha’s wheelchair since she can’t throw a football. He takes it literally everywhere. The police officers at the field were so awesome, they saw him upset, and they helped him search during the game,” mom Erica Cirillo said. “They asked around and stayed to help us look after. I am hoping someone just mistakenly took the football.”
After hearing about the lost football, Casillas showed up at the boy’s home in Toms River, with a new signed football that now says “DO NOT TAKE OUTSIDE!!”.
“Thank you to every single person who helped. This may not be Joey’s Football he lost, Jonathan came and made Joey’s day,” Cirillo said. “He talked to him, played catch and signed a new ball! He was the most humbled person, a true role model. He sets a great example for children.”
Casillas, a New Jersey native is well known for his off-the-field community service work with community and educational focused outreach programs.
Photos by Erica Cirillo, Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/ecirillo/videos/10217441274095446/