People tend to have more in common with each other than they think.
Even a professional football player and a child receiving treatment in a hospital -- as Kyle Dugger and his new friend Charlie learned this summer.
"He was walking around going door to door and he stopped by mine," said Charlie, recalling the day when the New England Patriots star safety visited him at Franciscan Children's Hospital over the offseason.
"We both had dreadlocks and I liked his shoes. He gave me a blanket, too."
What started off as small talk about hairstyles and sneakers developed into a bond.
Dugger didn't know exactly why he felt drawn to Charlie, but he saw a little of himself in the boy and knew their relationship wouldn't end there.
"I can't tell you what specifically stood out to me," Dugger said of Charlie.
"Maybe it had something to do with his hairstyle because he had dreads like me. But when I walked in there I just felt a connection with him. He was smiling and in good spirits. He was really positive and I felt his energy in that way. The dreads probably had a lot to do with it at first, and he complimented my kicks."
Dugger, typically shy and reserved, felt compelled to go above and beyond for Charlie after their first encounter.
The five-year pro went out and bought the boy the same pair of sneakers Dugger was wearing that visit. They reunited when Charlie attended training camp practice and learned Dugger would bring him and his entire family to the Patriots' first preseason game as his guests.
"I watched football sometimes," Charlie said at the training camp practice. "Now I've started watching it more."
Dugger's kind gesture was special for Charlie to experience, and as he learned, it put a smile on both of their faces.
"To shine some light on him is a great thing," Dugger said.
"It's definitely something I want to do more of, reaching out and giving back. This was a great opportunity to do that. I was just happy to be in a position to do that for him."
