By Rita Farlow, Times Staff Writer
Friday, December 24, 2010
Travis Grandlienard, 25, who has an arthritic disease called ankylosing spondylitis, hugs Mike Williams, 23, after the wide receiver surprised Grandlienard during a visit Wednesday to the Bucs training facility in Tampa.
Inside the lobby of One Buc Place, Travis Grandlienard studied the displays — the uniforms, the history of Raymond James Stadium, the silver Vince Lombardi trophy kept in a clear, glass case. Just then, a door opened and out walked Bucs rookie wide receiver Mike Williams. "Where's my man Travis at?" Grandlienard, who has a rare disease that causes him to hunch over, peered up over his glasses. He was face-to-face with his favorite player. Williams opened his arms and embraced Grandlienard, 25. "Oh . . . my . . . God," Grandlienard said.
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Grandlienard's Christmas surprise Wednesday started with a birthday wish Nov. 6. All he wanted was a Williams jersey.
Grandlienard ...