Those who watched ESPN on Super Bowl Sunday this year may recall seeing an “E:60” segment on Alyssa Silva, a Patriots fan who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) when she was six months old. Silva has built a special relationship with the team over the years, attending preseason games as a guest of owner Robert Kraft.
Before this past Thursday’s contest against the Philadelphia Eagles, Silva and her family headed to Gillette Stadium with ESPN along for the ride for what Silva thought was simply a follow-up story. While the network was indeed there to film a follow-up, they also wanted to be present to capture Silva’s reaction when Kraft and Patriots special teamer Matthew Slater (Silva’s favorite player) surprised her and her family with a brand-new handicapped-accessible van.