Jets feel good story

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"It’s been a tumultuous last few weeks for Mark Sanchez.
His on-field struggles well-documented, Sanchez has played some of his best football late in the season, helping the Jets get to an 11-5 record and a playoff date with Peyton Manning and the Colts on Saturday.
But a lot of people may not know about what Sanchez has been doing off the field in the last few weeks, and how he’s taken time out of his busy schedule to help a young fan in need. In the final few weeks of his life, 11-year-old Aidan Binkley got to realize his dream of meeting Mark Sanchez. ESPN New York has the story:
Sanchez and Aidan Binkley, 11, met each other only a few weeks ago, but they became fast friends. Binkley was suffering from a rare form of cancer, and he had only two wishes — he wanted his two brothers to stay healthy and he wanted to meet Sanchez.
And so he did.
Aidan visited the Jets’ training facility Dec. 15, and he received the VIP treatment, as if he were a big-name player making a free-agent visit. He watched practice and was escorted to owner Woody Johnson’s second-floor office, where he met Antonio Cromartie, Dustin Keller, Mike Devito and others.
And, finally, Sanchez. The people who were there say Aidan’s face lit up like Broadway at night.
“Nothing meant more to him than coming here and meeting Mark and meeting the Jets,” Keller said quietly Wednesday in the Jets’ locker room. “Great kid … a tough situation.”
The 24-year-old quarterback was immediately taken by Aidan and his upbeat personality and his love of the Jets. A few days later, Sanchez & Co. beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh — the biggest win of the season — and Sanchez sent his new friend a game ball.
The celebrity quarterback and his new friend became texting buddies and, one day, he surprised Aidan by showing up at his house. The boy was sleeping when Sanchez arrived, but Sanchez stuck around until he woke up. They ended up having a long conversation, like a couple of old friends. To this day, Sanchez and Keller still wear the green silicone bracelets that Aidan gave them.
“He brought me so much inspiration. … It’s hard to talk about him,” Sanchez said. “He meant the world to me. I felt like I’ve known him forever. … I saw his personality. I saw his competitive spirit. I saw him fighting every day.
“I’m complaining about a shoulder. Are you kidding me? … I think he was 11 years old, and he has cancer eating away at his body,” Sanchez continued. “This kid is fighting every day. He’s smiling every time I talk to him. I visited him at his home. I mean, he has to get carried up the stairs because he’s so weak and all he wants to talk about is L.T. and Darrelle Revis and Rex Ryan and me.
“Oh, man, it destroys you, just thinking about it. I love him to [rip].”
According to the Binkley family, Sanchez even paid for the funeral expenses after Aidan passed away last Thursday. The team had a moment of silence for Aidan before the team’s final home game against Buffalo last week.
Sanchez may not be an elite quarterback in this league yet, but no one can question his heart. What a breath of fresh air for a team that has struggled to maintain their image off the field. It’s nice to know that our young quarterback is a good person first and foremost. Thank you Mark Sanchez, for being yourself.