College football player shares sweet lunch with middle schooler eating alone

When the Florida State football team visited Montford Middle School in Tallahassee, Florida, one player scored a cafeteria-style touchdown.

Wide receiver Travis Rudolph noticed a young student named Bo sitting alone, and so the football player asked if he and his pizza could join.

Bo's mom Leah Paske shared the story of the sweet lunch on Facebook.

"Now that I have a child starting middle school, I have feelings of anxiety for him, and they can be overwhelming if I let them. Sometimes I'm grateful for his autism," Paske wrote on Facebook.

"That may sound like a terrible thing to say, but in some ways I think, I hope, it shields him."

She continued by expressing worries about Bo feeling sad or alone at school.

"It's one of my daily questions for him. Was there a time today you felt sad? Who did you eat lunch with today? Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it's nobody," she wrote. "Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn't seem to mind. He is a super sweet child, who always has a smile and hug for everyone he meets."

As her Facebook post started to go viral, ESPN interviewed Rudolph about the experience.

"I saw him...sitting by himself. I had got pizza and I asked him can I sit down with him, and he said 'sure, why not.' And we went from there and started a great conversation," Rudolph said.

"I didn't even know he had autism...to find that it was just...heartbreaking that he's in that situation. But I'm praying for him, and I feel like he's a great kid overall."

Paske's post went on to explain how emotional she felt when a friend sent her the photo of Rudolph and Bo eating together.

"I'm not sure what exactly made this incredibly kind man share a lunch table with my son, but I'm happy to say that it will not soon be forgotten," she said.

"This is one day I didn't have to worry if my sweet boy ate lunch alone, because he sat across from someone who is a hero in many eyes. Travis Rudolph thank you so much, you made this momma exceedingly happy, and have made us fans for life!"