NEW RICHMOND, Ohio – River Blank is a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan. His father said his young son eats, sleeps and breathes everything about the team.
What You Need To Know
- River Blank is a die-hard Cincinnati Bengals fan who watches every game with his dad
- Blank was diagnosed with infantile scoliosis, which has required multiple surgeries and forced him to wear a body cast for much of his young life
- Gold Star Chili decided to send River and some members of his family with a trip to California and Super Bowl tickets
- River was surprised with the tickets during a pep rally at the Gold Star near his family’s home in New Richmond
Like a lot of his friends at Monroe Elementary School, his favorite player is standout rookie wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Though, his No. 85 Tee Higgins jersey is among his most prized possessions. He’s worn the jersey for every Bengals game since he got it, and they’ve pulled out a win each time.
River watched every one of those games with his dad, Travis Blank.
“When he was little, he would just tag along and sit there and watch with me. Over the past couple years he’s just really taken to it,” Blank said. “He loves football. He loves everything about the game.”
The Blank family attends a pep rally send-off for River (No. 9 Bengals jersey) who will be going to the Super Bowl thanks to Gold Star Chili. (Provided)
Sadly, River can’t really play his favorite sport. The fourth-grader has infantile scoliosis, an abnormal sideways curve of the spine that affects infants and toddlers. It limits River’s physical mobility.
“At 7 months old, we noticed his shoulder kind of looked like it was protruding out a little bit, so we took him to the doctor,” River’s dad recalled. “Within a matter of literally an hour. We were going to (Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center) to see their spine doctor.”
Because of his condition, River has already undergone five major surgeries during his young life. He’s had to be outfitted for and wear more than 30 body casts to help straighten his spine. Over the years, River has only been out of a cast for about a week at a time while getting fitted for a new one.
Now 10, River has been out of his cast since August because he’s gotten too big for them. Blank said River’s medical team is exploring next steps, which will likely include at least another surgery.
River has a medical evaluation planned for next month.
But before then, River is excited to watch the Bengals take on the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl. Blank said watching the Bengals postseason success has continued to bring him joy even despite the physical challenges.
After learning of River’s story, the people at Gold Star Chili— an official sponsor of the Cincinnati Bengals— decided they wanted to help River see his favorite team play in-person on the world’s largest stage. The company is sending River and his dad on an all-expenses paid trip to Super Bowl VLI. They’ll be joined by River’s older brother, Fischer, and his uncle, Ryan Maloney.
Roger David, president and CEO of Gold Star, called River a “special kid” and with many people in his corner. He said the Cincinnati-based restaurant chain “had to make this happen for him.”
Beyond covering the cost of game tickets, airfare and lodging, Gold Star is providing $1,000 to help cover the cost of the family’s meals and some additional fun while they’re in California.
Who Dey invites Bengals super fan River Blank to join him at the Super Bowl. (Provided)
The company will also supply “all the party necessities” needed to allow River’s mother, Amanda Blank, and her two other children, Rowin and Sailer, can host a Super Bowl watch party at the family home in New Richmond.
“We are honored to fulfill his dream of seeing his beloved Bengals play for the Super Bowl title in-person,” David said. “What’s a better way to celebrate and support some great members of our extended family than by sending one of the coolest superfans and his family to the game to lift his spirits?”
Blank said he was ecstatic when he learned the news earlier this week, both for his son and himself. But River had to wait a bit longer to find out the big news.
On Wednesday, a surprise party for River took place at the Gold Star location in New Richmond, close to where the Blanks live. They told River he was going to a pep rally for the Bengals with their “number one fan.”
When River arrived, he was greeted by Who Dey, the Bengals’ team mascot, holding a banner that read: “River, will you go to the big game with me?”
Blank admitted to getting a little emotional when he saw his son’s eyes “light up” when he saw the sign.
River was shy throughout the event— choosing to mostly chat with his family and friends who were gathered at the restaurant. His dad said he’s likely to get much more vocal when he’s cheering on his football heroes in California later this week.
“I know he’s ecstatic and I know on the way home, we’re gonna hear nonstop about how cool this is,” Blank said. “As a parent, I can’t express how grateful we are and the gratitude we have to everyone for making this possible.”
