'A divine appointment' for former Auburn punter, young Disney-bound friend

AUBURN, Ala. – It took 7-year-old Rio Mahaffey a few seconds to process what had just taken place. Judging by his sister Sophia's reaction, the good news hit her instantly. 

They were going to Walt Disney World.



Recognized on the field during Auburn's football game against LSU after overcoming a rare former of cancer, Rio looked up on the video board to see an old friend.Kevin and Rio met at Lake Martin in July 2015

Former Auburn punter Kevin Phillips.

They met three years ago, soon after Kevin arrived at Auburn and just before Rio began chemotherapy for Langerhans cell histioscytosis.

"Coach Malzahn made it a priority for the team to do community service projects," said Phillips, recalling how he and about a dozen teammates signed up for aTeam Ministries' Champions of Chemo, spending a day at Lake Martin with childhood cancer patients.

"We just kind of gravitated toward one another," he said. "We developed a little bond. A cool opportunity to invest in a kid's life and to provide some support and love." 

Phillips kept in touch with Rio and his mom, LeighAnn Mahaffey, while Rio underwent chemo in the months and years that followed.

With Rio cancer-free since May, Magic Moments, a wish-granting organization for children in Alabama with life-threatening illnesses, arranged for his family's upcoming trip to Orlando. Auburn Athletics coordinated the visit to watch the Tigers play.

Rio's mom enlisted Phillips to share the good news with his friend. In a video recorded in his home in Washington D.C., where Phillips works in client services for a consulting firm, Kevin invited Rio, Sophia and LeighAnn to Disney World.

"A cool opportunity to make him feel loved by the Auburn family, and recognized and celebrated because of his great journey that's he's overcome over the past few years." Phillips said.

Watching the Auburn game on TV, Phillips' phone soon erupted with texts describing the scene inside Jordan-Hare Stadium.

"Time spent in athletics is short-lived, but the opportunity to invest in someone else's life has long-term benefits," said Phillips, calling the experience, "one of the coolest moments" he's ever had.LeighAnn and Rio hug after Kevin Phillips' video message. Photo: Anthony Hall/Auburn Athletics



"It's not just a game. Auburn's not just a place. It's more than that. God really used Auburn as a vessel to change a life and to impact a family that was going through something pretty tough, creating a divine appointment to weave our paths together."

He may be 750 miles away from the Plains, but for Kevin Phillips, it was one more special Saturday at Pat Dye Field.

"I love Auburn. Miss it a ton, but I'm glad I could still be a part of it at a distance," he said. "When you leave Auburn, you really don't leave Auburn. It stays with you wherever you go."
 
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer