Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The kids in foster care face unique challenges as they wait and hope for adoption, but sometimes they need the chance to just be a normal kid.
For Jesus, Wednesday’s Child, it means enjoying his favorite sport.
Rio Tinto Stadium is the home of professional soccer team Real Salt Lake. On most game nights, energetic fans and soccer stars take center stage. During the game on May 17, one of their biggest fans was in attendance.
RSL rolled out the red carpet for Jesus. The 13-year-old watched from the sidelines as the team warmed up and had a front row seat once the game started.
"This is pretty cool. I've never been to a (professional soccer game) before," Jesus said.
Jesus entered the foster care system less than a year ago and is still adjusting to his new life. He admits it's not easy to go live in a different home where everything is unfamiliar.
He longs for a permanent home with two parents who want to be involved in his life.
"A mom and dad who can take care of me and care about me, drive me to my soccer games and stuff like that," Jesus said.
Jesus said he knows he deserves a forever family, they just haven’t found each other yet.
"I'm just a really great person to know," he said. "I need to get love too."
Jesus also loves the outdoors. He participates in Scouts and looks forward to the day he can go on father and son campouts with his adoptive father.
"I hope we can do outdoor stuff and have animals," he said.
RSL pulled off the win on May 17, and Jesus even got to meet some of the players after the game.
"It was pretty fun," he said with a big smile on his face.
He hopes the next time he sits in Rio Tinto Stadium the seats beside him will be filled with his new family members.
