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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have suffered a deflating loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, but for 8-year-old Josh Fisher, a cancer survivor, it was the experience of a lifetime. He and his two brothers -- Charlie and Justin -- got to wave the Bucs' flags and lead the team out of the tunnel in their home opener Sunday. "I'm super excited," Josh said, moments before, as he was high-fiving players in the tunnel who were heading in from warm-ups. He said getting to share the moment with his family was "super cool." For 3 1/2 years, Josh Fisher, who lives in nearby Odessa, Florida, battled acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a type of cancer that attacks blood and bone marrow. He underwent 1,200 rounds of chemotherapy and has been cancer free now for two years. "That really pumped us up when Josh led us out of the tunnel. I think that helped us, helped motivate us," said quarterback Jameis Winston, who has struck up a friendship with the youngster. The two participated in the Bucs' annual Cut for a Cure Challenge, which benefits the Pediatric Cancer Foundation. Josh has gotten to shave Winston's hair the past two years.  "That kid is strong and when I saw him, I was happy to see him," said Winston, who has become Josh's favorite player. The two got to say hi before the game. Josh sported a No. 3 jersey and a hat with Jameis' autograph on it. Winston said that Josh is the one who inspires him, though.
"You have games like this and I’m going to be down on myself but I’m going to bounce back up because of kids like Josh," Winston said. "He’s been fighting and he’s just living his life and that’s what I’m going to do." Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common form of cancer that affects children, but according to his father, Patrick, there wasn't a specialized protocol for him or for his specific form of cancer. Only 4 percent of federal funding for cancer research goes to children, something the family hopes to change through events like Cut for a Cure, which Josh has participated in for the past four years. When the Bucs were discussing doing "something special" for their home opener, Bucs chief operating officer Brian Ford said he knew just who to call. Josh had cut his hair the past two years. The fact that September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month made for perfect timing. "The fact that he can do this, that he's healthy enough to do this -- it's so wonderful. We're so proud of him," said Patrick. "Kids with cancer have such an isolating illness. If they can be part of a team, if they can be part of a special event like that -- and to feel that the Buccaneers and all the other teams in Tampa Bay are behind them -- it's a special friendship and a special bond and they know that they're going to keep fighting and that other people are looking out for them, too." Josh's mother, Jessica, fought back tears thinking of what their family went through every day for those 3 1/2 years. Joshua 1:9 is one of their favorite scriptures and Josh's, too -- because it has his name in it and because it talks about being strong and courageous and that God is with you wherever you go. They still wear blue tie-dye arm bracelets that say "Hope." Cancer wasn't just Josh's battle. It was the family's battle. They hope that in some way, they can help other families, too. Patrick said this was for them. "Josh isn't just carrying the flag for him. He's carrying for all the kids who can't be here today," Patrick said. "There [are] many kids who are still fighting. We're grateful that he can run out and carry the flag for them."
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