Ali Tanner Self lives in Nashville and has some history with the family of Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox, but she didn’t share that with her young son, Briggs. Knox has become Briggs’ favorite football player and Briggs’ generous gesture to raise money for charity instead of a birthday gift led to a surprise visit from Knox and more than $2,000 for the P.U.N.T. Foundation. The foundation provides financial, practical and emotional support to families who are dealing with pediatric cancer.

Briggs decided that he really had plenty of “things” and did not want any more items for his eighth birthday.

Ever since Dawson was drafted, Briggs has been quite literally obsessed with him. He wears his Bills clothing items to school daily, watches all of his clips on YouTube, and can repeat any stats you want to know about him.

When he decided to ask friends to not bring gifts, he got really excited about possibly being able to connect with “THE” Dawson Knox by asking him what his favorite organization was to donate to and ask friends to give to the organization instead.

His initial goal was $300, which I honestly thought was a bit lofty for a group of 7- and 8-year-old boys to raise, but we grew that total to more than $2,000.

Dawson found out about the money being raised and came to the party. I truly had no idea he would be at the party or that he even knew when it was. His brothers were invited and were coming, but Dawson showing up was a complete surprise to us all.

I babysat for Dawson from the time that he was 6 years old really until he graduated high school. I went on family vacations with them and kept the kids while his parents went out of town so that is really how we know them. When Dawson’s two younger brothers were adopted, they became really good friends with my oldest son. So the three boys hang out a good bit.

Dawson and I stay in touch, but Briggs does not know that. I do not want him to know that I have a connection to him because he would harass me constantly. So I just asked Dawson what his favorite organization was.

I have tried to stay very respectful of Dawson since he has grown to a larger level of fame so even though Briggs has become a big fan I have never asked Dawson to do anything for him (except I did ask if I could send him a jersey to be signed in the mail for Christmas).

When Briggs talks about Dawson, he often tells people: “I want to be like Dawson when I grow up not because he is a football player but because he is so nice and he is actually changing the world and loves Jesus.”

As parents, there are so many pro players that are constantly in the news for negative behavior. To have role models out there for our kids because of their amazing positive character is truly life changing and has made us a part of the Bills Mafia … all the way from Nashville.