Falling and breaking his arm, Jake Schied was hospitalized at Advocate Children’s Hospital in Oak Lawn.
During his stay, the 9-year-old boy from the South Side neighborhood of Beverly got to see his favorite star, Benny the Bull.
The Chicago Bull’s over-the-top and long-tenured mascot last week paid a visit to young patients at the hospital, along with power forward Taj Gibson.
But Jake said Benny, the red bull known for entertaining crowds at the United Center, was his hero.
Well, he used to be a hero, the boy acknowledged.
“Until now, because Benny is crazy,” Jake said, drawing a laugh from the half dozen family members sitting in his hospital room..
Hospital officials said Benny and Bulls players make annual visit for the children at Advocate. Gibson has visited for the last few years.
“The kids love [Benny],” Gibson said, who acknowledged that Benny stole the show at the hospital. “I love him, too. It’s hard to turn away … He’s so joyful.”
Gibson said he came Advocate to help bring smiles to the children and “whatever it takes, just talk to them or be normal.”
“I’m with Benny, so he makes it a lot easier,” the 30-year-old NBA player added.
Advocate’s Children’s Hospital is part of the Advocate Christ Medical Center, a 684-bed hospital .
About 10 children, mostly from the South Side and Chicago south suburban communities, packed into the children’s floor lounge to see Gibson and Benny.
Children took turns taking shots, with Benny’s providing the assist, into a plastic basketball hoop Bulls staff brought to the event. Benny, who has been playing the charming entertainer and comedic villain equally well since 1969, brought smiles and more than a few laughs for Advocate’s pint-sized patients.
Gibson was picked 26th overall in the 2009 draft by the Bulls, and started for most of his rookie season. He came in second for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year Award in 2014. In June, Gibson underwent surgery on his left ankle and was out for months.
This season, the Bulls are struggling to find a way into the playoffs. But sports scores apparently weren’t on the minds of Advocate’s child patients during Gibson’s visit.
Nick Swedberg is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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