NFL Players Visit Children's Hospital

Pediatric patients at the Herman & Walter Samuelson Children's Hospital at Sinai had their day brightened with the help of three NFL players.

Retired Atlanta Falcon Keion Carpenter, Buffalo Bill Aaron Maybin and New England Patriot Alge Crumpler visited the inpatient unit this afternoon. They are in town for the second Annual Commitment to Change (C4C) camp in Woodlawn, as both Carpenter's and Maybin's charities, The Carpenter House and Project Mayhem, are hosts of the camp. The 6-day camp is designed to teach young athletes both technical skills and healthy living skills, while incorporating the importance of education and college prep.

Carpenter, who was born at Sinai, said visiting the children at Sinai as a "humbling experience."

"We can't take the little things for granted," he says. (You can see more of Carpenter in the video below.)

The players, who signed hats, played games and talked with the patients, were a big hit with everyone from teenagers to young children.

"I'm glad they are taking time off to visit me and the other kids," 15-year-old Noah Dannis of Ellicott City said. "It makes me feel good. It was definitely cool to meet them."

Joseph Awunganyi, who escorted his 4-year-old Joerel to meet the players, says his son loves to watch football players on television. Joerel has been at Sinai for the past week with a strep infection, but his family hopes he'll be able to return home soon. In the meantime, his smile at Carpenter, Maybin and Crumpler said it all.

"They really lifted his spirits," his father said.

You can turn in tonight at 5, 6, 10 and 11 p.m. on Fox 45, WBAL, WJZ and WMAR to see more of the players' visit.