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13-Year-Old Cancer Patient Becomes Leeds United's Mascot Through Live Zoom Call

13-Year-Old Cancer Patient Becomes Leeds United's Mascot Through Live Zoom Call

The power of technology allowed Leeds fan Elliot Metcalfe to walk out on the pitch alongside his favourite team.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Well played, Leeds United.

With the coronavirus pandemic still plaguing sports events, the absence of live crowds is being felt more than ever.

And while fans are still having to watch games from the comfort of their own homes, another famous football tradition has also been put on hold for the time being - mascots.

Only this weekend, Leeds came up with a beautiful gesture that allowed one lucky supporter to walk out alongside their favourite team.

The Premier League newcomers produced a heart-warming moment by having a virtual mascot for their clash against Arsenal.

But this wasn't just your standard mascot, this was actually 13-year-old cancer patient Elliot Metcalfe who became the first ever mascot to appear on a tablet through a live stream.

Incredibly, the club arranged for young Elliot to Zoom or FaceTime call Leeds captain Liam Cooper as the two teams prepared for kick-off at Elland Road.

And as Cooper emerged from the tunnel, he was seen holding an iPad with Elliot on the other end of the line wearing his Leeds jersey.

With Cooper holding the tablet tight to his chest as he walked out onto the pitch, cameras quickly zoomed in to show Elliot's glowing smile before his live image appeared on the big screen inside the stadium.

It's understood the Make a Wish Foundation worked closely with Leeds to arrange the brilliant gesture.

And while Elliot himself was probably over the moon, fans on social media were equally as impressed.

Classy stuff.







Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports, Twitter

Topics: Leeds, Football, EPL, Premier League, Leeds United, Arsenal, Technology, Australia

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

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@maxysherry