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LJ TUCKER AND HIS DREAM MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

By Atlanta United FC

March 22^nd, 2018

The Golden Spike hitter for matchday on March 17th was a little different than the usual. He wasn’t a 6’2” professional athlete, a hit artist or a renowned ATL celebrity. Instead he was the youngest guest ever to hammer the Golden Spike at just five years old – little LJ Tucker from Newnan, Georgia made his own way into Atlanta United history. A kid that’s been through much more than most children his age.

LJ loves soccer. He was signed up to play for his first season when his family received news that he was diagnosed with DIPG, a highly aggressive brain tumor that is difficult to treat. Since then, LJ has undergone radiation, tests and treatments to combat his condition. Unfortunately, the prognosis for DIPG patients remains very poor, making it all the more important to have him experience matchday with his 5-Stripe family.

LJ TUCKER AND HIS DREAM MATCHDAY EXPERIENCE

The club learned of LJ through Bert’s Big Adventure. Bert’s Big Adventure’s mantra is to create as many magical, wow moments they can for their Bert's Big Adventure kids; do the unbelievable and do it in a big way. Especially for their kids that are battling time. LJ joined the Bert’s Big Adventure program in 2018 after being nominated by the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. As an introduction and welcome into Bert’s Big Adventure, the selected kids and their families are taken on an all-expenses-paid, 5-day journey to Disney World for a once in a lifetime experience. In addition, they surprise each kid with an out-of-this-world experience.

Because of his infatuation with the sport of soccer, it was a perfect fit for him to join Atlanta United at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for matchday.

“He just wanted to play soccer. That’s the only sport when he first started asking to play anything,” said mom, Crystal Tucker.

LJ’s special matchday journey started when he stepped inside the ATL UTD Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon to make his ride to the stadium, complete with a police escort to lead him in. After arriving, LJ walked onto the field with Bert Weiss, Bert's Big Adventure founder and host of The Bert Show, only to see his name posted on the halo board.

The tour continued as LJ went to the team locker room. Inside he met with Head Coach Tata Martino. Language was no barrier as Tata kissed LJ on the forehead before leaving the locker room. As LJ headed back towards the field, he greeted and shook hands with the players and stayed to watch the team warm up for the match.

But the biggest moment of the day came just before kickoff. There was one thing LJ had to do as a part of the 5-Stripe Family and cement the day in history, and that was to hit the Golden Spike. As a chorus of over 45,000 voices came together to cheer, LJ climbed the Capo Stand. And with scarves held high and a few more draped around his neck, LJ stepped up to hammer home the club’s Golden Spike.

LJ spent most of the match watching from his own suite, enjoying some of his favorite treats like mac ‘n cheese, pizza and rainbow cake. He cheered on his team for almost the full 90 minutes before he made it back up onto the Capo Stand to hit a drum even bigger than himself with the Atlanta Supporters. For LJ, it is a night he will always cherish and for Atlanta United – from the team, to the supporters, to the front office staff – they will not soon forget their special guest.

“You do things with passion and perfection. I saw It with each and every ATL staffer knew his LJ's story and went out of their way to give him extra love," said Bert.

LJ capped his night standing alongside ATL UTD forward Josef Martinez who received the Golden Spike of the match for his stunning hat trick performance. And with that, the two heroes of the night stood side-by-side, with a glimmer in their eyes as they thanked the Atlanta crowd for an unforgettable experience.

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