NFL player escorts Texas college girl to dad-daughter dance after father’s death
‘She just felt like a princess all night’: Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris escorts 11-year-old Texas middle schooler to daddy-daughter dance after father’s death
- Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris took 11-year-old schoolgirl Audrey Soape to a dad-daughter dance after her father died a year ago
- Soape’s mother, Holly, contacted the player and told him that her daughter had lost her father and grandfather over the past year.
- Harris accepted the invitation and even bought Audrey’s dress, shoes, hair and makeup for the event.
- The Soape family spoke to Fox and friends on Friday about Harris’ kind gesture
- “She just felt like a princess all night,” Holly Soape told the network
- Harris was also moved by the experience and was grateful to be part of the girls’ night.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris made a heartwarming gesture last weekend as he escorted a Texas middle schooler to a dad-daughter dance after losing her father a year ago.
Harris, 30, took 11-year-old Audrey Soape to her school event after the girl’s mother, Holly, asked the NFL player to be her date on social media.
Audrey Soape, of Austin, lost her father Ryan and her grandfather in the past year. Harris is the girl’s favorite player.
To the family’s surprise, Harris managed to qualify after the Eagles lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 1 of the playoffs.
Philadelphia Eagles safety Anthony Harris, 30, (right) escorted Texas middle schooler Audrey Soape (left) to a dad-daughter dance after her father died a year ago
Harris had been invited by Audrey’s mother, Holly, who told him how she had lost her father and grandfather last year.
“I told him about the situation and surprisingly he was more than willing to,” Holly told Fox & Friends on Friday.
‘It happened very quickly. He said yes probably about a week before, so it was kind of a whirlwind.
“She just felt like a princess all night,” she added.
As part of the kind act, Eagles security even paid for all of Soape’s dance expenses, including her dress, shoes, hair, and makeup.
“A normal player would probably say ‘I don’t have time for this. I have to be focused for next season or the playoffs,’” Audrey told the network.
“But he took time out of his schedule to take me, so it was pretty special.”
Audrey with her father Ryan Soape who died in 2021
“She just felt like a princess all night,” said Holly Soape
Despite the excitement, Audrey admitted she was nervous, but Harris had made the experience less awkward for her by talking to her about various things, including football.
“I was very nervous because I didn’t know what I was going to say,” she admitted.
“At first it was a bit awkward because we weren’t talking yet… But then he came over and started talking to me.”
After her daughter’s difficult year, Holly was grateful that Harris was able to give her daughter a night to remember.
The Soape family spoke to Fox and friends Friday about Harris’ gesture
Audrey had her dance fees paid by Harris which included her dress, shoes, hair and makeup
Audrey said Harris helped make the event less awkward for her as they talked about a bunch of different things including football
“I was so anxious and excited for her because she just had the most terrible year ever,” she said.
“For someone to show up and let them know that people are showing up for you is just beyond a blessing.
“The power of God and how he makes these situations happen is just amazing and remarkable.”
Harris, who just joined the Eagles last year, was also moved by the experience and was grateful to be part of the special girl’s night.
‘You must cherish these moments. You never know how long we have here on this Earth,’ Harris told CBS Philly.
“So the people you care about and love, show them your support.”
Harris, who has been with the Eagles for a year, said he was moved by the experience and grateful to be part of the special girls’ night.
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