Some were red, some were green, some were purple and some were gold.
Some were Knights and some were Citronauts.
Page after page of drawings showcasing vibrant designs are a testament to the joy and creativity of the pediatric patients at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children and was crafted in collaboration with UCF football players.
Some heartwarming pictures were transformed into decals, which will adorn players’ helmets when they take the field at FBC Mortgage Stadium for Friday’s annual Knights vs. ‘Nauts spring game. Each helmet also will feature a gold stripe with the names of each of those patients.
“Giving back to our community is a huge part of who we are as a program, so we’re excited to have our players represent the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in this unique way in our Spring Game,” coach Gus Malzahn said in a statement.
“The recent visit to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children by members of the UCF football team exemplifies the values of compassion and teamwork,” added Justin Williams, president of the hospital. “UCF Athletics continue to inspire us both on and off the field, showcasing their dedication not only to the game but also to their community.”
Arnold Palmer has been named a “Best Children’s Hospital” by U.S. News & World Report. It helps families with pediatric patients in specialties such as endocrinology and diabetes, neonatology, orthopedics and pulmonology.
Lee Hunter, a redshirt junior defensive tackle, was among the players who participated in the event, along with defensive tackle Ricky Barber, linebacker Ethan Barr, running back RJ Harvey and offensive lineman Paul Rubelt.
“I’ve never experienced anything like that,” said Hunter. “It touched my heart and made me get closer to my baby girl, my daughter.
“Giving back is important because many people are not as fortunate or able to make it on their own. It’s very important for me because you never know what someone’s gone through. Growing up, I had struggles so I know what it’s like. If someone offers you something, it means they care about you. It’s important for me to show that somebody cares.”
The defensive line, which Hunter is a part of, will feature black helmets with a purple and yellow Knight head decal. The other units will feature various multicolored decals, including a Citronaut with red, green and yellow.
“We’re thrilled to have the kids at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children help put a special touch on this year’s spring game uniforms, as they helped personalize UCF logos for our team helmets, adding their creativity and inspiration for our guys,” UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir said in a statement.
UCF has recently developed a reputation for utilizing its spring game for marketing opportunities.
In 2021, the players wore jerseys featuring their social media handles. In 2022, players wore jerseys featuring QR codes that, when scanned, took them to the players’ biographies.
The first half of Friday’s game will feature two quarters of action, with the second half set for skills challenges and fan activities. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Matt Murschel can be reached at mmurschel@orlandosentinel.com
