Boy reconnects with legendary Panthers player years after shared medical journey

By Luke Tucker

Published: Nov. 3, 2025 at 1:56 PM EST|

GREEN BAY, Wis. (WBTV) – A boy reunited with a Carolina Panthers legend on Sunday, years after they began a medical journey together.

Fourteen-year-old Bryson Shupe was once a heart transplant patient at Atrium Health Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte. At the same time, one of Greg Olsen’s sons was waiting on his own heart transplant.

In a social media post, Levine Children’s said that Bryson and Olsen connected during that shared journey, creating within the boy a “deep love” for the Panthers.

Eight years later — and as a healthy teenager — Bryson was surprised with a trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay to watch his Panthers win a huge game against the Packers on Nov. 2.

Bryson not only got to go to the game, but was on the field for pregame warmups and got to meet some of his favorite players. He also got to reconnect with Olsen in the broadcast booth as he prepared to call the game for Fox Sports.

“Hey buddy!” Olsen said as he wrapped Bryson up in a hug. “What’s up man? How are you? How’s this for a day?”

Levine Children’s shared pictures of Bryson donning his custom No. 1 jersey up in the broadcast booth with Olsen, all around historic Lambeau Field, down on the field, and one shot with Panthers quarterback Bryce Young.

“The perfect game day for the sweetest kid❤️,” Levine Children’s wrote in a social media caption. “We’re so proud to see Bryson having the time of his life ❤️.”As for Bryson’s advice to other kids who may be going through a hard time of their own, he said to “Keep pounding … Keep your head up. Don’t be sad at all.”