OSU football: Cowboys come to The Children's Hospital to put smiles on patient's faces

Junior Nick Rockwell and seniors Tracy Moore and Nigel Nicholas were the first players to greet Ernest, 9, in his room on the eighth floor Wednesday, and he perked up at the sight of them. Moore, Nicholas and Rockwell gave Ernest gifts, including an OSU bag, and posed for a photo with him.

The players were about to leave Ernest when Nicholas asked Ernest for his autograph.

“Can you make it out to Nigel, please?” Nicholas said.

Ernest obliged, writing his name on an orange sheet of paper. After the players left, Ernest gave his thoughts about the experience.

“Cool,” he said.

Junior Justin Gilbert also thought the experience was cool.

“It feels great to finally be able to give back,” he said. “It's my first time being able to come on this trip. It's a pretty good experience.”

The players also interacted with children on two separate floors of the hospital. Moore led a group of players to each designated room while waving black and orange pom-poms.