When it comes to the Bengals faithful, the measure of loyalty can't be found in season tickets stubs, face paint strokes or jerseys collected. The real measure is found in heart. Adam Wilson has loads of it and admits he comes by it honestly. The Sycamore High School graduate grew up with Bengals fandom running through his family's blood."My grandma had season tickets throughout the 90s. So my team loyalty is genetic," Wilson said.Family is a big part of Wilson's life these days. In 2015, he was diagnosed with ALS.Now 39-years-old, Wilson works to make the most of his days. This includes watching Bengals games with his 11-year-old daughter, Avery. He wants to pass on that Who Dey heart because of, and in spite of, any physical challenges and limitations. While Wilson gratefully says his condition is slow progressing, he uses a wheelchair to move and communicates by typing with a special computer that reads aloud his messages.Wilson is a Cincinnati sports super fan. He helped create the MLB-wide Lou Gehrig Day. Avery threw out the first pitch at Great American Ballpark on the inaugural June 2 commemoration day. When he's not cheering on the Reds, he's rocking his Bengals gear and savoring every part of his game day rituals at his family's home in Mason. "My dad plays the fight song after every touchdown," Wilson said. "Avery asks a lot of questions about what's going on. So it's fun to watch her learn football."Wilson loves to watch the Bengals with his parents, whom he lives with, and his daughter. But this season, as with every Bengals fan, will go down as potentially his and her favorite."We were all just jumping around and screaming and I started doing cartwheels around the living room," Avery Wilson recalled watching the Bengals AFC Championship win versus the Chiefs. "And then I ran over to my dad."Avery Wilson embraced her dad and gave him a victory kiss. His mom, Jan, captured the sweet moments on her phone and Adam later posted the photos on Twitter. They went viral."We were all just like so happy and so I had to make sure my dad got a hug too," Avery Wilson said."I can't go toss the football with Avery, or easily explained the rules," Adam Wilson said. "My parents have to do everything I can't. I have a slower progression than most so I'm happy to be around to share this with her."The two love to spend time with each other. You can tell in the way they share a laugh or a smile. This season has given their relationship a boost of heart to last a lifetime."Now, for the first time I can remember, we are going to the Super Bowl," Adam Wilson said. Wilson recalled the last time the Bengals played in the Big Game he was six years old.It's that heart that makes Adam Wilson as big of a Bengal fan in Mason than any fan inside Paul Brown Stadium. ALS tackled his ability to talk but Adam Wilson still has his voice and he is ready to roar on Super Bowl Sunday."I used to rant and rave during the games," Adam Wilson said. "But now I watch in silence because I have to but I'm still screaming on the inside."Wilson plans to watch the Super Bowl with his parents in Mason and be actively talking to his college roommates through their group text. He looks forward to sending a text that says the Bengals won the Super Bowl.Wilson also continues to help the Greater Cincinnati community through the gift of music. Before his lost his ability to sing, Wilson self-published two albums and recently released a song he recorded back in 2009. The song is titled "Jealous" and proceeds of the song will do to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
When it comes to the Bengals faithful, the measure of loyalty can't be found in season tickets stubs, face paint strokes or jerseys collected.
The real measure is found in heart.
Adam Wilson has loads of it and admits he comes by it honestly. The Sycamore High School graduate grew up with Bengals fandom running through his family's blood.
"My grandma had season tickets throughout the 90s. So my team loyalty is genetic," Wilson said.
Family is a big part of Wilson's life these days. In 2015, he was diagnosed with ALS.
Now 39-years-old, Wilson works to make the most of his days. This includes watching Bengals games with his 11-year-old daughter, Avery. He wants to pass on that Who Dey heart because of, and in spite of, any physical challenges and limitations.
While Wilson gratefully says his condition is slow progressing, he uses a wheelchair to move and communicates by typing with a special computer that reads aloud his messages.
Wilson is a Cincinnati sports super fan. He helped create the MLB-wide Lou Gehrig Day. Avery threw out the first pitch at Great American Ballpark on the inaugural June 2 commemoration day. When he's not cheering on the Reds, he's rocking his Bengals gear and savoring every part of his game day rituals at his family's home in Mason.
"My dad plays the fight song after every touchdown," Wilson said. "Avery asks a lot of questions about what's going on. So it's fun to watch her learn football."
Wilson loves to watch the Bengals with his parents, whom he lives with, and his daughter. But this season, as with every Bengals fan, will go down as potentially his and her favorite.
"We were all just jumping around and screaming and I started doing cartwheels around the living room," Avery Wilson recalled watching the Bengals AFC Championship win versus the Chiefs. "And then I ran over to my dad."
Avery Wilson embraced her dad and gave him a victory kiss. His mom, Jan, captured the sweet moments on her phone and Adam later posted the photos on Twitter. They went viral.
"We were all just like so happy and so I had to make sure my dad got a hug too," Avery Wilson said.
"I can't go toss the football with Avery, or easily explained the rules," Adam Wilson said. "My parents have to do everything I can't. I have a slower progression than most so I'm happy to be around to share this with her."
The two love to spend time with each other. You can tell in the way they share a laugh or a smile. This season has given their relationship a boost of heart to last a lifetime.
"Now, for the first time I can remember, we are going to the Super Bowl," Adam Wilson said. Wilson recalled the last time the Bengals played in the Big Game he was six years old.
It's that heart that makes Adam Wilson as big of a Bengal fan in Mason than any fan inside Paul Brown Stadium.
ALS tackled his ability to talk but Adam Wilson still has his voice and he is ready to roar on Super Bowl Sunday.
"I used to rant and rave during the games," Adam Wilson said. "But now I watch in silence because I have to but I'm still screaming on the inside."
Wilson plans to watch the Super Bowl with his parents in Mason and be actively talking to his college roommates through their group text. He looks forward to sending a text that says the Bengals won the Super Bowl.
Wilson also continues to help the Greater Cincinnati community through the gift of music. Before his lost his ability to sing, Wilson self-published two albums and recently released a song he recorded back in 2009. The song is titled "Jealous" and proceeds of the song will do to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
