It was just a simple game of catch.
But for Adam Hubbs, it was a bit more.
It was playing catch with his favorite football player, Tim Tebow.
"You have better form than me," Tebow says jokingly after catching another pass from the 16-year-old, who was decked out in a No. 15 Denver Broncos jersey.
It was a dream come true for the teenager from Millstadt, Illinois, who was surprised to learn he would be spending Monday with the former Florida Gator. Adam's visit was part of a gift from the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which teamed up with ESPN and the Tim Tebow Foundation to give him the chance to meet his idol.
ESPN filmed the whole thing for a series entitled "My Wish" that will be broadcast on SportsCenter starting July 18.
Three years ago, Adam was a normal teenager. Sports, school, family, and friends dominated his life. Then on Sept. 2, 2008, what was thought to be just a case of mono turned into something much worse for the Hubbs family.
Adam went to see his local doctor who in turn sent them straight to St. Louis Children's Hospital to have lab work. Leukemia was suspected to be the cause however a biopsy on his liver and spleen ruled it out.
Eventually, the Hubbses were told that Adam suffered from a microbacteria infection (MAC), that is both rare and genetic. The body just quits making white blood cells to help fight off infection.
Adam and his family ended up at the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. Adam had a bone-marrow transplant in November 2010 but while the signs were looking good for him, he suffered another setback in January.
Adam had a stroke, which completely paralyzed the left side of his body. With hard work, he's slowly gaining usage of his arm and leg. Doctors believe he will regain at least 90 percent of his usage.
Prognosis is looking up for Adam, who still has a long, uphill battle ahead of him.
But for a couple of hours, the teen was able to put it all behind him and enjoy his visit. A visit that was kept a secret until a well-time phone call.
As far as Adam knew, he was going to Florida with his family as part of a conference for his father's job. A phone call from Tebow over the weekend inviting him to spend the day with him was almost too good to be true.
"When Tim called he said, 'Hey, this is Tim Tebow,' and he (Adam) goes, 'Are you sure?'" Adam's father, Mark said with a chuckle.
And just like that, Adam was in Central Florida spending the day with his hero.
Adam's day with Tebow started when the former Heisman Trophy quarterback rode up on a surrey bike, taking the young fan for a ride.
"It's awesome," Adam said.
He spend time talking with Tebow, peppering him with questions.
"Why I cried on national television," Tebow said. "It was like the second question."
"It was a good question."
After some games and lunch, Adam and Tim spent the afternoon playing catch. Just two friends enjoying a sunny day.
"Tim doesn't know it yet but he has a life-long friend," Mark Hubbs said.
mmurschel@tribune.com or 407-420-5719. Read his blog at OrlandoSentinel.com/collegegridiron365.
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