13-Year-Old Essay Contest Winner Meets Jerome Bettis

An essay about his hero secured a Grove City boy a seat on the sideline for the Super Bowl.

Friday night, he got to meet that hero.

Sam Kimmel idolizes Jerome Bettis and Friday Channel 11 brought him to a taping of the Jerome Bettis Show.

Kimmel won the NFL Super Kid contest on NFLrush.com. Kimmel was chosen among more than 20,000 fans who entered the contest.

In the essay, Kimmel wrote about former Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who has asthma. Kimmel's answers focused on the importance of staying active to help control his own asthma.

"He's inspired me with his asthma," said Kimmel. "Kept me going."

Friday, Bettis told Kimmel, “I’m glad I could inspire you. I appreciate that.”

Kimmel will get to hand the game ball to an official before the Super Bowl kickoff in front of more than 70,000 fans and a Worldwide NBC audience.

"I never thought this could happen," said Kimmel. "It's so great."

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