From The Field to the Dance Floor

Last year was a tough year for eleven-year-old Audrey Soape. After losing both her father and grandfather within a few months of each other, she found herself grieving and heartbroken as the annual father-daughter dance approached at her church. 

Wanting to attend the dance but unsure of who would escort her, Audrey and her mom Holly had a bold idea: inviting someone famous.🤩

⏮ From the beginning... Holly and Audrey were always major fans of Anthony Harris, an NFL safety who played his first six seasons with the family's favorite team, the Minnesota Vikings.

In fact, Holly would often DM encouraging messages to Anthony on Instagram just to wish him well. Anthony didn't reply at first – but he eventually began to take notice, thanking Holly for the encouragement and constant support. 

• "This is somebody who never met me in person," Anthony told the Post. "This is somebody who has just been following my career and not only paying attention to what I do on the field but also what I do off the field."

So when an opportunity came around to help Audrey attend the dance, Anthony instantly stepped up. 

🕺💃 The big day... While he wasn't sure he'd be able to attend due to the NFL playoffs, Anthony promised Holly he would do his very best to be there for Audrey. 

As Vikings fans know (sorry, Minnesota fans😉), the team didn't make the playoffs – so Anthony's schedule was free.

Being raised by a single mother himself, he sympathized with Audrey's loss and hoped to make the day as special as he could. 

• "I wanted her to feel like a princess," shared Anthony. He covered most of the costs for the night, escorting Audrey to the dance and making it a night she'll never forget. 
• "I just wanted to try to help her cope through that experience without her father being there," Anthony shared. "I had people in my life, sometimes complete strangers, that were very supportive of me, so I wanted to do that for her."

🥺❤️