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TUSCOLA, Ill. -- When 9-year old Colton was waiting for his second eye procedure for cerebral palsy, his father sent out a simple tweet asking for Illini fans to give him words of encouragement. Hundreds of responses and "likes" later and the tweet was viral in Illini Nation, including with members of the football team.

But the Illini student-athletes did not want to stop with tweets after Colton's surgery went well last Tuesday. They decided to take their support on the road and surprise Colton at his next basketball game in Tuscola.

Awesome time supporting Colton! ?? #Illini #CPWarrior @CPbloggerdad pic.twitter.com/Mur2092HHY

— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) February 10, 2018

It is through tears of happiness that I post this. Colton received a surprise today of the #Illini football team coming to support him @ his game. 4 days after surgery Colton hits the shot to win the game (first basket of the season). Thank You!! #ColtonCourage #CPWarrior pic.twitter.com/fK7hqC4ri8

— Jason Rahn (@CPbloggerdad) February 10, 2018

#Illini players in Tuscola supporting Colton Rahn, one of our biggest fans, after his surgery earlier this week. #CPWarrior pic.twitter.com/V8zAdEwLEK

— Illini Football (@IlliniFootball) February 10, 2018

Fighting Illini Football players hoist Tuscola's Colton Rahn in celebration after Rahn made the opening basket during his biddy basketball game. The team surprised Rahn, a big Illini fan who has cerebral palsy, as they gathered to watch him play his game @IlliniFootball #ClassAct pic.twitter.com/7zavQGq2SR

— Douglas Cottle (@DouglasCottle45) February 10, 2018

Good to support the little ones ??? #coltonstrong #illinifootball ???????? pic.twitter.com/F1G7xGXvyu

— Jamal Woods (@jamal4425) February 10, 2018

Need your feel-good story of the day?

9-year-old Colton Rahn got the surprise of a lifetime from @IlliniFootball. Check out a look at his day below, and make sure you watch until the end to see a celebration he'll never forget. #ColtonCourage #CPWarrior #Illini pic.twitter.com/5dkkIClznL

— Elias Schuster (@Schuster_Elias) February 10, 2018

How a tightknit community, and some @IlliniFootball players, came together to make a little boy's day inside a @TuscolaCUSD301 gym. By @jawurth: https://t.co/F1uK5F1VA3.#ColtonCourage pic.twitter.com/nEROEBGfX0

— The News-Gazette (@news_gazette) February 12, 2018

Colton has a message for the incredible #Illini fans and the @IlliniFootball team that has supported him through his procedure this week and game yesterday. #CPWarrior #ColtonCourage pic.twitter.com/wXsC4rpikJ

— Jason Rahn (@CPbloggerdad) February 12, 2018

Original Tweets

Ok fellow #Illini fans. Need some help. My 9yo who is a HUGE #Illini fan is going for his 2nd eye procedure (from his cerebral palsy) on Tuesday and he is scared to death. Can I get some messages of support to read him? Thanks! #ColtonCourage #CPWarrior

— Jason Rahn (@CPbloggerdad) February 3, 2018

Colton is checked in and waiting. He wanted me to thank all of the #Illini fans, players, coaches etc. And says "He's got this". From me. Thank you all for the outstanding and overwhelming responses. #Illini nation is 2nd to none! #ColtonCourage #CPWarrior pic.twitter.com/4ayCy56qBR

— Jason Rahn (@CPbloggerdad) February 6, 2018

Colton @IlliniFootball stands with you! Be strong you are a Champion. https://t.co/SLfhOOoZOk

— Lovie Smith (@LovieSmith) February 3, 2018