A pint-sized sensation recently stole the spotlight during a hockey match.
In the heart of Detroit’s Little Caesars Arena, during a match between the Red Wings and the Vancouver Canucks, a little boy, armed with a sign declaring “It’s my first game – George,” unwittingly became the star of a that transcended the game itself.
As the arena’s jumbotron illuminated George’s cherubic face and his family’s endearing sign, the crowd erupted into cheers, creating an electric atmosphere that united fans in a wholesome, communal experience.
Little did George know that his shy grin and innocent enthusiasm would captivate the crowd so quickly.
The sign caught the eye of the jumbotron team and they repeatedly panned to George’s face.
“He didn’t know it was about him,” said his mother, Chelsea Miller.
He just kept saying, ‘Red team’s winning.”’
Miller said her son was ‘shy’, but soon the little boy couldn’t stop grinning as his face kept appearing on the screen as the crowd cheered.
Images from video, courtesy of Detroit Red Wings
The moment George and his sign appeared on the jumbotron, the home crowd burst into cheers. The camera then turned towards Vancouver Canucks fans, and the crowd hooted exaggeratedly, playfully booing the Canucks fans.
The video catapulted George to viral stardom after the Detroit Red Wings shared it on their Twitter page. His moment in the limelight became a bright spot among X, formerly Twitter, users.
Commenters joked, “I know where George sat if you want to get in touch with his parents he sat in portal 6 section 105 row 20 I literally sat right next to him, and the rumors are true he is a legend give this kid season tickets he is how we will win the Stanley Cup with the power of George.”
Another commenter noted, “This is awesome, what a great 1st game for this young man…”
Post-game, as the family left the arena, George found himself swarmed by fans eager for a piece of the newfound celebrity. “There were probably at least 100 people that asked to stop and take pictures with him and high fives and ‘can I get an autograph?’,” Chelsea said.
The Red Wings, acknowledging George’s unexpected star turn, went a step further, bestowing upon him an honorary star in a post on X.
+ An honorary star for George. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/McrX1LPSyr
— Detroit Red Wings (@DetroitRedWings) February 11, 2023
In the days after the match, George’s fame spread even further. The University of Michigan hockey team asked: ‘George, do you need a Michigan jersey for the next game?’ The Detroit Pistons NBA team chimed in, ‘Let us know if he wants to come to a Pistons game!’
Images from video, courtesy of Detroit Red Wings
His grandmother replied on X, saying: ‘Absolutely!’
Chelsea said George didn’t quite know what to make of his newfound stardom, but he did have a very good time.
“It was an amazing time, and everyone just made it so special for us.” she said.
Watch the little boy’s heartwarming reaction to the crowd, below.
Sources: Daily Mail | Click On Detroit | Upworthy
