Josh Dobbs is backup quarterback on the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Many NFL fans aren’t aware of who he is, as he sits and learns behind Ben Roethlisberger and Landry Jones in Pittsburgh.
But Dobbs understands his role as a follower of Jesus Christ is to impact other people’s lives and he’s doing just that with seven-year-old A.J. Cucksey from Knoxville, Tennessee.
The two developed a friendship during Dobbs’ time as a quarterback at the University of Tennessee.
Funny faces with @josh_dobbs1 on Christmas day = #BestPresentEver. Thank you for stopping by with AJ'S new jacket! pic.twitter.com/Al2PooaHEX
— Prayers4AJCucksey (@PrayersforAJ) December 26, 2015
This wasn’t your typical friendship though.
Cucksey has cancer.
A.J. was diagnosed when he was 4 years old, with multiple inoperable brain tumors. He’s gone through 41 rounds of chemo and according to twitter, the tumors are now stable.
AJ looks Ike the boss in this picture from last week. Good luck @josh_dobbs1 and your @steelers #SteelersNation pic.twitter.com/xBpOpv0YCx
— Prayers4AJCucksey (@PrayersforAJ) October 30, 2017
Dobbs, an only child from Georgia, started visiting A.J. and connecting with the family and the two quickly became very close.
“Going to their house was like a home away from home,” Dobbs told the NFL. “My mom, she’s been in a wheelchair since I was five. Everything in my mind is slated to how can I help my mom? How can I make things easier? Is everything accessible? So with A.J., that was just instinct. I just wanted to be a part of his life.”
Josh and A.J.’s story was documented by the NFL. You can watch the full story below.
A friendship that transcends football.
Meet the 7-year-old with inoperable brain tumors who forever changed rookie QB @josh_dobbs1's life. pic.twitter.com/hZL30nhh79
— NFL (@NFL) November 8, 2017
Josh’s faith in Christ is strong and says that Jesus is number one in his life.
“My personal relationship with Jesus Christ means everything to me,” Dobbs told The Tennessean in 2015. “Everything that I am or ever hope to be, I owe to God and my parents. I try to live my life in a way that it glorifies God in everything I do.”
Dobbs says that prayer plays a key role in his walk with Christ.
“I was raised in a Christian home, where my parents grounded me in principles that help me deal with the demands of life. I believe in the power of prayer. Whether a situation is good or bad, I am guided by my faith. I am a member of First Redeemer Church back home. I try to attend church regularly here in the Knoxville and really enjoy visiting several of the local churches.”
