ATLANTA -- Dale Earnhardt Jr. made a pit stop Thursday at the College Football Hall of Fame -- to say hello to a special fan.
The fan is 12-year-old Austin Freeman, who is currently battling cancer.
"These little moments of support," said Freeman's mother Abby, "mean more to a child than you can ever imagine."
At 10 years old, Austin was diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare bone cancer that mostly affects children. He fought through chemotherapy and radiation; this past March, he celebrated one year cancer-free.
But over the summer, Austin relapsed.
"So now we have to fight this monster again," said his mother, Abby. "Except this time, he has to have major surgery."
Surgery is coming soon. On this day, Austin did not have to think about it -- because he got to meet his NASCAR idol.
"Just thank you so much," he told Earnhardt Jr. upon meeting him. "I'm trying not to tear up about this, but this means a lot. It really does."
