Valley Stream student gets well wishes from Jets player

It was a hero’s welcome for New York Jets offensive tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, who visited one of his youngest fans, 11-year-old Nicholas Lakharam, on March 9 at the boy’s home in Valley Stream.

Passing the time with magic tricks and card games, there was no rush for both Nicholas and Ferguson, who had plenty of laughs. “He is so tall,” said Nicholas about his first impression of the almost seven-foot Ferguson. “I love the Jets because they have so much charisma and are a good team with good defense.”

Nicholas, a sixth-grade student at Howell Road School, was diagnosed with bone cancer last summer. Despite these odds and missing the school year, he remains vibrant and full of life, turning sickness into strength. Finding the time for his favorite activities including cheering on the Jets, Nicholas is not sitting on the sidelines. “I miss my friends, but I am excited about this event,” he said.

Knowing his love for the green and white, one of the school’s third-grade teachers Toni Pomerantz decided to and track down Ferguson for Nicholas. An avid fan already, Pomerantz has followed Ferguson’s career since he was drafted about five years ago after attending Freeport High School.

Following last month’s school fundraiser for Nicholas, Pomerantz made several “plays” to find Ferguson and share Nicholas’ story with him. The experience is something she is very grateful to have been a part of, telling the story with a big smile. “The night before the Howell [fundraiser], we wanted to know what we could do for Nicholas,” she said. “We thought that D’Brickashaw might come so I called his mom. A Freeport High School coach called back and gave me the phone number to his agent. The coach said he was out of town, but I gave him all the information. D’Brickashaw called me on [March 1], out of nowhere and said he would like to come see Nick.”

Ferguson was so impressed by Nicholas’ bravery that he wanted to make a major move off-the-field and meet the youngster. And after Nicholas’ mom, Bibi agreed, Ferguson was on his way to Valley Stream during his offseason. “It was definitely a fun day with Nicholas and his family,” said the football star. “I wanted to come.”

Taking time to play some intense, but friendly games of “spit,” both Ferguson and Nicholas said they had a lot of fun. Nicholas, who loves computer and video games like Super Mario Brothers, was very excited to meet Ferguson and eat Papa John’s pizza. Several of Howell Road’s teachers and Nicholas’ other friends also joined in the festivities. Ferguson was able to sign autographs and footballs for all of them.

“You don’t expect somebody like this to come to your house,” said Nicholas’ father, Raj, about the experience. “He did this for Nicholas.”