Former Falcons, law enforcement team up to support boy with leukemia

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A local community turned out Friday to support a 6-year-old boy who is fighting cancer. Two former Atlanta Falcons players and Gainesville police visited Riley Johnson's home to lift his spirits.

Doctors diagnosed Riley with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a blood cancer, in May. His mother, Molly Johnson, told Channel 2's Ashley Swann he has had weekly chemotherapy treatments ever since that have caused him to lose all of his hair.

"One day you have this healthy child and the next day you have a diagnosis you never expected to deal with," said Johnson.

On Friday morning, Riley received a surprise he never expected. Former Falcons players Jerious Norwood and Chris Owens met Gainesville police officers at Riley's home.

"It will be something he will never forget," Norwood told Swann. "And that's the reason for the season. Making dreams come true."

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“He has days where it’s a little hard and he gets a little down,” Johnson said. “For people to just come up and want to do this and offer their time to make my boy happy, it warms my heart."

Riley got to toss a football with the players and play in a police car. But, he told Swann the highlight of the morning was getting to shave Lieutenant Andy Smith’s head with the help of his new friends.

Smith’s message for Riley: “That we're twins now,” he said. “He's not in it alone."

A small show of solidarity the Johnson family says means everything. "It's a dream come true for Riley but really for me, too,” said Riley’s father R.J.

“It gives you the strength to fight."

The Johnson family said doctors are pleased with Riley’s response to his treatment. He is expected to enter the maintenance phase of his chemotherapy in late January and will get to start kindergarten in the new year.

And, Riley is getting another special treat on Sunday when he will take the field at the Falcons' game as an honorary team captain during the coin toss. The Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research is making the experience possible. You can learn more about the organization at their website. Follow Riley's journey on his Facebook page.

Cox Media Group