A wave of support is rallying behind 14-year-old Joseph De La Rosa, a Green Bay Packers fan who was denied an autographed football he won at
a 49ers fan event last weekend. The incident, captured in a viral cell phone video, shows De La Rosa being stripped of the signed Christian
McCaffrey football after organizers noticed he was wearing Packers gear. The footage has since been viewed hundreds of thousands of
times on social media. The event, hosted by the 49ers’ fan organization at a venue on Holmgren Way, was a pre-game celebration before the
team’s match-up against the Packers at Lambeau Field. De La Rosa, an eighth-grader at Franklin Middle School in Green Bay, was initially
selected as the winner of the signed football. However, the prize was given to another fan after the organizers realized De La Rosa’s
allegiance to the Packers. While the 49ers later attempted to make amends by sending De La Rosa a signed helmet from defensive back
Talanoa Hufanga, the gesture did little to quell public outrage. Many felt the treatment was unfair, including Austin Wilson, a 49ers fan from
Folsom, California, who reached out to FOX 11 News after seeing the story. Wilson, along with another fan from De Pere, purchased signed
Christian McCaffrey footballs for De La Rosa, with the order confirmation shared by FOX 11. The young Packers fan expressed his surprise and
gratitude, stating, “I felt excited and I felt like I can’t believe like he actually cares and wants to send it to me.”
De La Rosa’s experience has also garnered attention from Packers quarterback Jordan Love, who had a signed jersey sent to the young fan.
De La Rosa plans to frame the jersey and keep both footballs as cherished reminders of the kindness extended to him in the wake of the incident.
Reflecting on the support, De La Rosa said, “I feel really thankful for everyone helping out, having the support. I hope this never happens to anyone else.”