NFL player surprises special needs man with private dinner during Super Bowl

CONCORD, NC (FOX 46 WJZY) - Bradley Pinion, a punter for the San Francisco 49ers from Concord, had another surprise Wednesday for his childhood friend, after he already gave him Super Bowl tickets, as part of his Walter Payton Man of the Year nomination.

Bradley and Jason’s friendship goes way back. Jason and his mom used to take care of Bradley when he was just a toddler at Westford United Methodist Church in Concord.

“I used to cry all the time, and they’d pick me up and put me on their hip and take me to watch the birds,” Bradley said.

Bradley, a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School, played football at Clemson and then went on to the NFL.

In December, 49ers posted a video on their Facebook page that went viral, when Bradley surprised Jason, who has special needs, with Super Bowl tickets.

RELATED: Concord man surprised with tickets to Super Bowl from NFL player

But the surprise wasn’t over. On Thursday, while Fox 46 Charlotte was interviewing Bradley and Jason, Bradley told Jason and his parents that the 49ers are going to pay for them to go out to dinner while they’re in Minnesota at the Super Bowl.

“The dinner will be on us, wherever we choose, wherever y’all choose, and everything will be taken care of,” Bradley said.

Jason and his mom erupted in tears.

Jason said, “I’m still on Cloud Nine.”

“I think we’re going to stay there,” said Jason’s mom, Marla Furr.