St. William second-grader Hunter Nannoshi noticed Riley Patterson wore a cross during games, and wanted to give him special gift
DETROIT — Most second-graders ask for an autograph when they meet their favorite Detroit Lions player.
Not Hunter Nannoshi. He wanted to give his favorite Detroit Lions player a rosary, instead.
A rosary that was Honolulu blue, no less.
Hunter, a second-grader at St. William School in Walled Lake, got his wish before the Lions' Nov. 19 game against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field, when he shared a special moment on the sideline with Lions kicker Riley Patterson during pre-game warmups.
It all started when Hunter was watching a game on TV with his dad, Ivan, and noticed Patterson, an outspoken Christian, wore a cross around his neck.
“I noticed in the start of the football season, when Riley would go out there to kick, he was wearing a cross around his neck,” Hunter told Detroit Catholic.
The chance came when Ivan told Hunter they were going to the Bears game, and their neighbors, the Johnsons, had field passes.
“I have a rosary that is the same color as the Lions colors. And when my dad told me he got us tickets to the game, I brought it with me to give it to Riley,” Hunter said.
Hunter was down on the field for pregame warmups, where Patterson was practicing field goals, when the group hailed down a field personnel worker, telling him Hunter had a gift for Patterson.
“They asked what it was, (and) we showed it to them and the guy smiled and said, 'Let me go give it to him,'” Hunter said.
The field personnel took the rosary and gave it to Patterson. To Hunter’s surprise, Patterson ran over to Hunter after he finished his warmup.
In a moment caught on video and posted on St. William School’s social media channels, Patterson asked Hunter if he was the one who gave the rosary.
“Whoever that (field worker) was, thank you, because he gave it to Riley, and he came over and asked, ‘Did you give me this?’ when he came over. I said yes. And he said thank you,” Hunter said.
Patterson gave Hunter a game ball and thanked him for the rosary before taking a photo with Hunter and Christian Johnson.
“He asked me for my name, I told him, ‘Hunter.’ He said, ‘God bless you, Hunter,’ and I said the same back,” Hunter said. “I told him I wanted to give him the rosary because him and I believed in Jesus. Riley Patterson is my favorite athlete, and I hope he wins the Super Bowl. And most important, that he stays healthy and blessed from Jesus.”
Patterson is 15 of 17 on field goals and 35 of 37 on extra points this season. Since receiving the rosary, Patterson has hit both his field goal attempts and is seven of nine on extra points.
Hunter’s dad, Ivan, thanked Patterson for the kind gesture. Patterson told Ivan that even though he isn’t Catholic, he appreciates the gesture and has the rosary in a special place.
It was Hunter’s first Lions game — a 31-26 come-from-behind win — one he said he wouldn’t forget because of Patterson’s kind gesture.
After the video was posted, Hunter became the talk of St. William School, with other students excited for Hunter’s chance to evangelize at Ford Field.
Ivan Nannoshi expressed tremendous pride in his son being so eager to share his love of Jesus with others.
“As a parent, all you want is for your children to have faith and not be afraid to tell others about Jesus,” Ivan said. “We are so proud Hunter is not shy about telling others about Jesus.”
Hunter said he was glad to know he and Patterson both believe in the same Jesus and thinks the rosary will help the NFC North-leading Lions (9-4), who are on track to win their first division title since 1993.
“I hope the rosary will help them win, but most importantly, for them to stay healthy and that God blesses our families,” Hunter said. “I’m very blessed to have this experience.”
In addition to their shared love of Jesus and football, it's safe to say Hunter and his favorite field goal kicker share another thing in common: a prayer for conversions.
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