When Fox Thornhill, his brother and his parents walked into the BigBear.ai Training Facility on Friday morning, they were stunned by what awaited them as the glass doors opened.
"When we first walked in and they had the big 'Fox' sign and all the players and the coaches were there, that made a big impact, because everyone was there to support him," Fox's older brother Thatcher said.
Everybody in the Washington Commanders' football operations department came out to greet the Thornhill family, cheering, clapping and making sure to play Fox's favorite artist Eminem. Head coach Dan Quinn couldn't help but smile in talking about the "swag" the child possessed. Rocking glasses and a sweatsuit, Fox gave his favorite player Jayden Daniels a point and a "what's up" head nod as he went to dap up the quarterback.
The joy and care on display in that grand entrance moment carried all the way through the visit for Fox Thornhill, a 10-year-old from McLean, Virginia, who is battling a cancer called malignant neoplasm of the bone. In recognition of Fox's wish through Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic, Fox, joined by his family, was celebrated as an 'honorary Commander' for the day.
Upon his arrival, Fox was taken to the locker room, athletic training room, equipment room and more. For the superfan, it was exciting to go behind-the-scenes and be in the spaces where the pro players are every day.
"He watches Hard Knocks, so he sees all these rooms on TV, but now he got to see them with his favorite team," his mom Jennifer Thornhill said. "It's really cool."
Among the more exclusive rooms on the tour was Quinn's office. In fact, the coach left a blank piece of paper on a table with a prompt asking Fox to write him a play. Fox and brother Thatcher formulated the "Foxtrot," which involves Terry McLaurin on a post route ("I want you to use that play in a game," Fox later said in a message to DQ. "Terry's on the post. You can choose the other players to run the routes.") Fox also got a rare opportunity to write his autograph on Quinn's "BMF wall" outside his office.
Another major highlight of the facility tour was the locker room stop where Fox was surprised with his very own locker between Nick Allegretti and Andrew Wylie. The locker was complete with a whole haul of gear, including a customized Fox jersey that the honorary Commander promptly put on over his sweatshirt.
Afterwards, the Thornhills made their way out to watch practice. At one point, Sam Hartman parked himself next to Fox and took off his helmet so Fox could listen to, and Hartman could explain the play calls coming through. An honorary Commander has to be looped into the X's and O's, after all.
When the customary horns were sounded to signal the end of practice, Fox was taken right into the middle of the action so he could break down the session.
"[Wide receiver] Deebo [Samuel Sr.] gave him a helmet and said, 'This is how you break the team down,' [Fox] is like, 'I got it, man': 'Family on three!,'" Quinn said with a laugh. "He was like already ready, so Fox Thornhill as a Commander, man, does he have swag."
Pictures were taken. Samuel signed a helmet. Players spent time chatting with Fox. And then, for several minutes, came an experience the child never predicted in thinking about this wish coming true.
"I was just expecting to meet the players, but I never thought I'd get to throw the ball with them," Fox said.
In addition to throwing the ball around, Fox and Thatcher spent time playing two-on-one.
As they headed in for lunch, Fox was greeted by McLaurin bearing gifts. The two talked about going through adversity, video games and his newly developed "Foxtrot" play.
"I feel like I'm stronger, more motivated," Fox said of meeting his favorite players.
The day not only fulfilled a wish but imbued Fox and the Thornhills with memories that will last a lifetime.
"It [the wish day] has really gotten us through," Jennifer Thornhill said. "I've been thinking, leading up to this day, 'Oh my Gosh, what are we going to do after this?' because this has carried us through for almost a year. Just thinking about it and talking about it and wondering about it. I'm sure there are moments here, I'm not sure which ones they'll be for him, that he will remember forever."
