A viral fan known as the “Fist Bump Kid” is hoping to fist bump the Boston Bruins all the way to a Stanley Cup victory.
Liam Fitzgerald, who has Down syndrome, was still battling Leukemia the last time the B’s won the Cup in 2011. He received national attention after a video in 2014 showed him fist-bumping every player that left the ice at TD Garden.
Since then, the die-hard fan from Northborough has beat cancer and used the spotlight to help others. From collecting donations to raising money for cancer research, he is involved in a number of charities and has become a regular at the Garden.
Even though “Fist Bump Kid” is now a teenager, the Bruins never forgot about him. Fitzgerald has more autographs and pictures with players than he can count. His mom said the team has made them feel like family.
“Marchy will rough up his hair when he’s on the bench and Bergy will say he’s the good luck charm,” Christine Fitzgerald said. “They’ve won his heart and he’s won their hearts.”
Before his team tries to win on Wednesday, Fitzgerald has a few words of advice.
“Shoot. Shoot. Shoot,” he said. “If you don’t shoot, you don’t get goals.”
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He is hoping to attend Game 7, but no matter what happens, he will be there for the B’s with a smile and a fist bump.
“I just want them to win games, win the Stanley Cup and be happy,” he said.
