10-year-old Julian Perez from Arlington was dead-set this year on dressing as Cowboys receiver Amari Cooper for Halloween.
Julian was dressed head to toe in a white helmet, shoulder pads, thigh pads, white football pants and a navy blue No. 19 Cooper jersey, though he was not wearing cleats. They're medically prohibited with his prosthetic leg.
In the summer of 2020, Julian was playing football when he suffered a leg injury. He developed a limp that never subsided, and a visit to the doctor revealed an osteosarcoma, a cancerous bone tumor that was about the size of a pingpong ball.
Julian's leg was amputated to help prevent the cancer's spread, and his chances of playing football again are small, but his love and passion for the game didn't subside.
When Cooper learned about Julian, whom the 10-year-old says is his favorite player, and learned he wanted to dress as him for Halloween, the receiver sent a care package that included two autographed shirts, one of which was integrated into a brand new prosthetic leg!
Today, Julian is in remission, and can wear his new prosthetic up to two hours a day. He says he's looking forward to simple tasks like taking out the trash again, though he can't wait for the day a sports prosthetic someday that would allow him to play football again.
Cooper told a local Dallas newspaper after hearing about Julian, "Sometimes, we’re tested just to test our faith, and that’s the only perspective that I can give to that. Every test is for a reason. You can find a way to get through anything as long as you’re still breathing. Any time he wants to reach out, I’m here. I’m here for sure."
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