Junior reporter Jesus Cortez Estrada, from Children's Hospital Colorado, toured the UCHTC and interviewed Broncos rookie Max Garcia.
In October, I had the chance to go to the Denver Broncos practice facility to interview one of the players. For the interview, I met Max Garcia, one of the offensive linemen. This is his rookie year as a professional football player.
When we started talking, I was so excited and I felt like we were just friends hanging out. Garcia has been playing football since he was seven years old and told me that when he was a kid his parents separated and it was a big challenge for him. His family has always supported him and I can relate to that because my family has made a lot of sacrifices for me while I dealt with my kidney problems and was waiting for a transplant. Garcia's mom is his hero because she is his number one supporter.
His favorite football team to watch growing up was the Falcons because he is from Atlanta. His favorite dessert is arroz con leche, which means rice pudding and is my favorite too! Garcia is Mexican and Puerto Rican and can speak Spanish, which was cool because I didn't know I would meet someone who could talk Spanish to me.
While I was at the UCHTC, I got some really cool things: a Miles mascot stuffed animal, a Broncos 2015 yearbook and a Broncos beanie that I have really been wanting! My favorite gift was an autographed football that my little brother and I used it to play on the practice field with. It felt like a dream come true!
We sat in the cafeteria while all the players were eating lunch and I realized they were all really big! While we were waiting, one of the players said, "Hey, what's up man!" It was so funny and so cool! I also saw Peyton Manning, which was totally awesome.
Max also told me some advice that he would I also asked Garcia what advice he would give to kids who want to play professional football.
"Be consistent, always make time to practice and never, ever lose sight of it being fun," he said. "Learn to appreciate the sacrifices you have to make; it will pay off in the end."
Hanging out at the UCHTC and meeting Max Garcia was one of the best things I have gotten to do in my life. I will never forget it. It definitely makes me want to play in the NFL when I get older!
