Brayden Lenius thankful after 11-year old boy returns ball from first CFL touchdown

After scoring the first CFL touchdown of his career on Aug. 6, Brayden Lenius celebrated by throwing the football into the stands of Mosaic Stadium. The ball went straight into section 147, where 11-year old Nixon Wiebe and his family were sitting.

Ashton Vien who was sitting with the group caught the ball and immediately handed it to Nixon.

“He was pumped,” Alyssa Wiebe, mother of Nixon said. “He realized how special it was (because) no other kid in the stadium (or) no other fan in the stadium had (that football). It was special. And he knew that.”

Nixon, with the football between his hands held it high above his head. Alyssa explained the whole crowd had eyes on her boy, cheering him on.

“I didn’t think I deserved it, but I was very excited,” Nixon said. “It was weird. I’ve never had so many people look at me at once.”

11-year-old Nixon Wiebe with the famed football from Brayden Lenius’s first touchdown. (Alyssa Wiebe/Submitted)

Following the game, Lenius requested to see Nixon down at the wall, where he gave the boy his worn gloves.

Since he was six, Nixon has been playing flag football. This year, he is starting to play tackle.

“This was kind of the first year that (Nixon) actually has really paid attention to the game and what’s going on,” Alyssa said. “I would say this experience has contributed to him being way more invested in the Riders and watching the game.

“He definitely now has that personal connection and Brayden’s his guy. We were at last week’s game and it was all, ‘Brayden’s on! Brayden’s on!’. He was watching 19.”

After getting home from the game Alyssa posted a photo of Nixon with the infamous CFL ball. Moments later, messages came pouring in telling her about Lenius’s post-game interview where he explained he had regrets of throwing the ball, as it was meant for his mother.

“I grew up as an athlete playing hockey so I knew the importance of those firsts, whether it’s a ball or a puck,” Alyssa said. “I said to Nixon we should reach out to Brayden, so I messaged him on Instagram.”

Lenius wrote back to Alyssa offering to trade her ‘little man,’ and the pair arranged to meet.

“We decided to make a special trip down,” Alyssa said. “(Nixon) met Brayden, and when they did the exchange, Brayden gave him a signed Lenius jersey and a signed team ball.

“Nixon was starstruck. We all have those memories of meeting someone famous and someone you look up to and Nixon, he was in awe. He couldn’t believe he got a jersey. He put it on right away (and) took off his old vintage Rider jersey.”

Nixon, was proud to not only return the ball but see Lenius, the 6”5’ player, himself.

“I felt like I did something right,” Nixon said. “(Meeting Brayden) was awesome, and he’s tall! He’s good. He got the touchdown. He is also very nice. And he plays wide receiver, that’s what I want to play.”

Later, Lenius posted a photo to his Twitter, thanking the many people who helped get his first touchdown ball back.

Craig Reynolds reached out to the family offering them tickets for another game.

“We’re going to go back on October 9, which is a week after Nixon’s birthday when he turns 12,” Alyssa said. “I’m sure if Brayden’s around we’ll connect with him and say, hi!”