A TikTok star who surprised a 97-year-old man with a trip to Disneyland has made the World War II veteran’s ‘dream come true’ by taking him to a Los Angeles Rams football game and introducing him to wide receiver Cooper Kupp.
Designer Isaiah Garza, who uses they/them pronouns, captured the hearts of millions last month with an emotional video documenting the unforgettable day they spent with William Goode at the California theme park.
The strangers struck up an unlikely friendship, and Goode was incredibly grateful for the time they spent together, saying he ‘thought his life was over’ before their whirlwind Disney adventure.
Garza, 32, has once again given Goode a day he will never forget by taking him to see his favorite team — the Rams — play the Carolina Panthers at SoFi Stadium on October 16.
TikTok star Isaiah Garza, who uses they/them pronouns, took 97-year-old World War II veteran William Goode to a Los Angeles Rams game on October 16
Garza, 32, documented their trip to SoFi Stadium in their now-viral TikTok video. Goode was stunned when the influencer revealed they were taking him to see his favorite team
Before the Rams played the Carolina Panthers, Garza took Goode onto the field
The philanthropist shared a video montage of their latest outing, starting with the moment they stopped Goode while he was walking outside with his walker.
‘I want to make today the best day of your entire life,’ Garza told him.
‘You know that means a lot to me,’ Goode replied. ‘I wish more people would care.’
The veteran was stunned when Garza revealed they were taking him to see his favorite team play.
‘Oh my gosh,’ he said.
‘I want to make today the best day of your entire life,’ Garza told Goode
Goode was once again stunned when Garza shared that he was going to meet his favorite player, wide receiver Cooper Kupp
When Kupp came over, he immediately shook the starstruck veteran’s hand
Goode sweetly patted Kupp’s shoulder as they chatted on the field before the game
Garza promised Goode the ‘experience of a lifetime,’ and they delivered. Before the game, the influencer pushed their pal’s wheelchair onto the field and told him that they were going to introduce him to his favorite player — Kupp.
‘Oh no!’ Goode said. ‘You mean he would come over here? I wonder if we could get his autograph?’
When Kupp came over, he immediately shook the starstruck veteran’s hand.
‘Oh my God,’ Goode gushed. ‘You’re really good. You’re one of the best.’
Not only did he get to chat with Kupp on the field, but the NFL star also signed a custom jersey for him.
Goode said his ‘heart was going like crazy’ when Kupp introduced himself
‘Oh my God,’ Goode gushed. ‘You’re really good. You’re one of the best’
Not only did Goode get to meet Kupp, but the NFL star also signed a custom jersey for him
Other highlights from the day included the veteran trying on the Rams’ Super Bowl ring
‘Oh boy, my heart was going like crazy,’ Goode recalled of the moment. ‘My heart was beating. I was up on cloud nine. I was way up there. Miracles happen. Miracles do happen.’
Kupp told Goode that he hoped they would put on a ‘good show’ for him — and they did. The Rams defeated the Panthers 24-10.
Other highlights from the day included the veteran trying on the Rams’ Super Bowl ring and hanging out with the cheerleaders in his new jersey.
Garza made sure Goode was treated like a king, and the stadium even showed the video of their recent trip to Disney on the big screen.
‘Miracles do happen,’ Goode said of the unforgettable day, which included him being interviewed on the field
Goode told Garza he ‘did a wonderful and beautiful thing’ for him, saying his life has ‘completely changed’ since they met
Goode also got to meet some of the Rams cheerleaders before they took their seats
Goode called the outing ‘one of the happiest days of my life’
Garza hinted that they have more exciting surprises in store for Goode at the end of the video
Goode called it ‘one of the happiest days of my life.’
‘My life now has completely changed,’ he told Garza. ‘You did a wonderful and beautiful thing for me.’
The heartwarming video has been viewed more than half a million times in less than one day. Thousands of people commented on the footage, including Kupp.
‘Thank YOU, Mr. Goode, for a life of service,’ the NFL star wrote.
‘What a moment,’ the Rams added.
Garza met Goode last month when they surprised him with a magical trip to Disneyland
The philanthropist approached the elderly man while he was out with his walker and asked if he would like to go to the theme park
The heartwarming footage then cut to them riding the spinning teacups together
‘He hasn’t been on a ride in over 50 years,’ Garza explained in the on-screen text
Garza is passionate about giving back after spending a couple of years homeless on the streets of Los Angeles’ Skid Row.
The influencer told Fox 11 that they were inspired to take Goode to Disneyland last month after the elderly man’s caregiver had responded to their Craigslist ad.
In the viral video of their first meeting, Garza approached Goode and explained they were having a ‘really, really rough day’ and wanted to see if he would ‘be willing to go to Disneyland.’
‘Hey, that’s great,’ Goode replied with a laugh. ‘You really want to take me?’
‘My gosh, I can’t believe this,’ he added, unable to hide his surprise.
The footage then cut to them riding the spinning teacups together, which was something the man hadn’t done in decades.
Garza pushed the man around in a wheelchair as they toured the park, and their day included a dance break
When Garza asked the man how it felt to be at Disneyland, he couldn’t contain his joy. ‘This is one of the best days of my life,’ he said
The veteran admitted that he though his ‘life was over’ up until that point, insisting that he would always remember their afternoon together
‘You don’t know how much I appreciate this,’ he added as he fought back tears. ‘You really don’t know’
‘He hasn’t been on a ride in over 50 years,’ Garza explained in the on-screen text.
The philanthropist pushed the man around in a wheelchair as they toured the park, and their day included a dance break and meet-and-greets with Goofy and the Mad Hatter.
Garza even got the veteran a pair of Mickey Mouse ears and sweetly placed them on his head, sharing that they became ‘best friends for the day.’
‘How does it feel to be at Disneyland today?’ they asked their new pal.
‘Oh my gosh, this is one of the best days of my life,’ the man replied. ‘I feel like I might be dreaming or something.
‘I thought my life was over,’ he admitted. ‘I will remember this day for a long time.
‘You don’t know how much I appreciate this,’ he added as he fought back tears. ‘You really don’t know.’
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