Football player's picture with autistic boy goes viral

A college football star is being praised for his kindness off the field. A photo showing Florida State wide receiver Travis Rudolph eating lunch with Bo Paske -- who often sits by himself -- has become a social media sensation. Mark Strassmann went to Tallahassee to find out what brought the pair together.

[Fortunateisluck]

“Sup, dude”
*The dudest greeting in the history of dudeness.*

[handmeadozenbeers]

I'm not a parent, I'm not even married but seeing that kid sitting alone messed me up. I can just imagine how the mom felt.

[CalvinK]

That is a great young man that has been raised well. No color, no age, no nothing, just kindness. Our world needs to learn from this, from a young college man.

[JoseFlores-uwtz]

Travis Rudolph you are the man. This act of kindness is way more impressive that anything you could have done on the playing field. As a father and a grandfather it would be tremendously hard if I found out that any of my children were being ostracized. You have my utmost respect.

[gacha_queen]

Those “friends” he were sitting with are actually fake but I hope he finds real ones!

[Jan_Tenev]

Suddenly everybody is his friend i prefer sitting alone than fake friends

[governmentrape]

This definitely hits home. I would always feel embarrassed sitting alone at lunch so I started to eat my lunch in the bathroom stall. I know it must’ve felt great for him to have someone come sit with him. That’s awesome.

[rog]

This is what college football stars should be recognized for! So proud of this young man! He changed a life with kindness

[asens]

I don’t see how the adults in that school go about their day while this kid sits at lunch alone.

[esketit]

Dude he shouldn't be with those fake friends

[makingmoves]

"Like a spotlight...clicked in my head." He's a good soul who was led to do what was right. That young boy's angel in a football jersey. Well done!

[cynthiabakerwoodard]

One act of kindness changed that kid’s school year.

[columbiaave]

“I’m a super star”... yes you are young king

[ytuser]

It’s actually really sad, because he thinks he has friends sitting next to him now, but in reality, they’re just fake friends who are only there for the popularity...

[draftmagicagain]

Such a wonderful act of kindness. That football player has a huge ❤.

[annealbaugh]

2 beautiful young men God Bless them both 🙏🏼💙💙

[uhhangel]

Bet you like after a week those kids stopped sitting with him

[haojie]

Bet those fake friends are laughing and gossiping behind him after watching him calling himself a superstar

[liefyaple]

I got no kids, thirty five, but videos like this really touch my heart.

[angellala]

I truly appreciate that act of kindness I have a 14 year old with autism who sits on a bench alone every lunch. It makes me sad that no one will approach him and just sit with him. My heart goes out to every single person with any disabilities. You are amazing as I tell my son anyone would be so lucky to have a such a kind caring perosn for a friend.