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Grateful mother brought to tears after football player in US eats lunch with her autistic son

Most days sixth-grader Bo Paske eats lunch alone, but this week a Florida State University football player brightened his day.

On Tuesday, a number of Seminoles players were visiting Montford Middle School in Tallahassee when wide receiver, Travis Rudolph, spotted the boy by himself and asked if he could sit with him, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The boy's mother, Leah Paske, opened up on social media about her son, who she says has autism, and how Mr Rudolph's gesture brought her to tears.

"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," the grateful mother wrote on Facebook.

Ms Paske said a friend sent her this picture of Bo with Mr Rudolph. Source: Leah Paske/Facebook
Ms Paske said a friend sent her this picture of Bo with Mr Rudolph. Source: Leah Paske/Facebook

Ms Paske wrote on Facebook that she asks her son on a daily basis who he eats lunch with.

"Sometimes the answer is a classmate, but most days it's nobody," Ms Paske wrote.

"Those are the days I feel sad for him, but he doesn't seem to mind."

Bo Paske with his mother Leah at Montford Middle School. Source: AP Photo/Joseph Reedy
Bo Paske with his mother Leah at Montford Middle School. Source: AP Photo/Joseph Reedy

WCTV reports that the young boy, who was reportedly diagnosed with autism at three-years-old, was over the moon and has now become a bit of a celebrity at school.

"I was just so psyched," Paske said, "like an FSU football player just came and sat with me!"

Bo Paske with his mother Leah. Source: AP Photo/Joseph Reedy
Bo Paske with his mother Leah. Source: AP Photo/Joseph Reedy

Ms Paske says Mr Rudolph has new fans for life.

"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," she wrote.

Leah Paske's post online. Source: Facebook
Leah Paske's post online. Source: Facebook

The grateful mother wrote that her son is sweet and always greets people with a smile.

"He doesn't seem to notice when people stare at him when he flaps his hands. He doesn't seem to notice that he doesn't get invited to birthday parties anymore," Ms Paske wrote.

The Seminoles website reports that when Mr Rudolph saw him alone he grabbed some pizza and headed to join him.

"I asked could I sit with him and he said, ‘Sure, why not?’" Mr Rudolph said.

"… He told me his name was Bo, how much he loves Florida State. And we went from there."

Mr Rudolph spoke to WCTV about his kind gesture. Source: Kenny Morales WCTV/ Facebook.
Mr Rudolph spoke to WCTV about his kind gesture. Source: Kenny Morales WCTV/ Facebook.

According to CBS, the football player was nearly brought to tears himself when he saw Ms Paske's post online.

"He’s a cool person, I’ll hang out with him any day. And for the mom, if he needs my (cell) number, he can get it," Mr Rudolph told CBS affiliate, WCTV.

WCTV reports that Bo and his mother have now been invited to meet the university football team.

Ms Paske's post on Facebook has been shared more than 11,000 times.