NFL Star Steve Smith 'Honored' to Take Girl With Autism to Prom
Steve Smith will escort Aubrey Bridges, 18, to her high school prom.
— -- When Baltimore Ravens star Steve Smith Sr. found out that an 18-year-old girl in his home state of North Carolina wanted to ask him to her high school prom, Smith thought it would only be appropriate if he asked her instead.
The result is a now-viral video in which Smith, a former Charlotte Panthers star, asks Aubrey Bridges, an 18-year-old North Gaston High School senior, to her April 23 prom near Charlotte, North Carolina.
Bridges, a huge Panthers fan who is largely non-verbal and communicates through her iPad, answered with a huge smile.
“I don’t get a lot of requests like this so it was very unique,” Smith told ABC News. “When I heard her circumstances I looked at it as a father -- I’m a father of four -- and I have one daughter.”
“This is a young woman who has a tremendous amount of courage and has some struggles and I thought it was an opportunity to make her day normal and special," he added.
Aubrey’s wish is being fulfilled by Dream On 3, a North Carolina-based organization that grants kids’ sports-related wishes.
The organization’s co-founder, Elizabeth Lindsey, was there when Aubrey first watched the prom proposal from Smith. The teenager typed a "yes" reply to Smith on her iPad.
“It was a magical moment,” Lindsey told ABC News. “Aubrey enjoys smiling and dancing and is a happy lady and I think that same fun spirit in Steve is what she connected with.”
Dream On 3 has “fun things” planned for Aubrey the day of her prom to help her get ready for the big dance and then Smith will come to her house to escort her there.
The NFL star said he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give Aubrey a “special” day.
Also attending a prom this year will be Smith’s 18-year-old son. The football star, who splits his time between Charlotte and Baltimore, also has a 15-year-old daughter and two more children, ages 11 and 2.
“This is an opportunity for my kids to be proud of me,” Smith said. “But my daughter did give me a look and said, ‘Don’t think about taking me. That’s not going to fly with me, Dad.’”
The NFL star added, "With all I do, I’m still dad. I still embarrass her.”
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