Nine-year-old Sophia Bell felt right at home at Jack Trice Stadium, surrounded by Cyclone football players, coaches, and cheerleaders as she had the privilege of serving as Iowa State University’s Kid Captain in the home football game against Texas on Saturday, Nov. 6.
Sophia, daughter of long-time Cyclone fans David and Vicky Bell of rural Reasnor, was chosen by Blank Children’s Hospital to be the Nov. 6 Kid Captain. Children who have been an inspiration to others through a medical journey are nominated and selected for the role.
Sophia certainly fits the description of an inspiration. She was diagnosed at just 14 days of age with cystic fibrosis (CF), a progressive, genetic disease that causes permanent lung infections and limits the ability to breathe over time. Her daily routine consists of an hour-long period of respiratory therapy that includes vibrating vest therapy and inhaled nebulizer medications upon waking and before going to bed. She also takes enzymes daily to combat the pancreatic insufficiency that surfaced with the CF diagnosis. Sophia has faced the adversity CF has handed her head-on with the support of her family, friends, and supportive community.
David and Vicky Bell of rural Reasnor stand with their son Jacob and daughter Sophia with a signed football from ISU Football Coach Matt Campbell.
“Living with cystic fibrosis does not stop her from doing the things she loves,” said Vicky. “Even recently she had COVID-19 and was up to four treatments a day. Then she developed a lung infection from it and had to continue the four-a-day treatments and add an inhaled antibiotic – which is not pleasant – and oral antibiotics. She did not lose her smile and sass!”
Sophia’s bravery and inspirational way she lives a full life with CF led to her being chosen as Kid Captain on Saturday. She was able to be on the sidelines at Jack Trice Field an hour before game time and enjoyed interacting with the players, coaches, referee crew, and cheerleaders. She had a quick meet-and-greet with ISU Head Football Coach Matt Campbell who gave her a signed football. She then was escorted to the 50-yard line by ISU’s captains for the coin toss where she also met a few Texas Longhorn players.
“She thought that was great and she couldn’t get over how big the players were!” said Vicky.
Sophia, her parents, and brother Jacob had great seats for the ISU victory on the fifty-yard line, 11 rows up.
Vicky said the whole family had a great time, interacting with ISU football personnel on the sidelines and Cyclone fans surrounding them in the stands. One of Sophia’s favorite parts, said Vicky, was seeing herself on the Jumbotron in front of 62,000 people.
Vicky thought the family might be able to sneak out of the game a little early to avoid the departing crowd ,but Sophia would have no part in that plan on Saturday as she wanted to take part in the crowd’s post-win tradition. “She wanted to sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ with the crowd!”
The fun and recognition continued after the ISU victory. The Cyclone’s Rory Walling, a special teams player who visited with her prior to the game, sent a text later that night. His message to Sophia read, “I’m so glad she did it! She’s a special kiddo, so happy she was able to be out there with us!”
