Olsen grants child's wish to practice with Panthers
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen was told to refine his technique from an unlikely source Tuesday.
The two-time Pro Bowler hosted Parker Cowherd, a 7-year-old Panthers fan, at practice. Cowherd is fighting an inoperable brain tumor and wanted to spend time with the team, which Olsen helped fulfill through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Although it was his first time meeting some of his heroes, Cowherd didn't hold back any critiques.
"He told me one time to get my pads down," Olsen told ESPN's David Newton on Tuesday. "I'm not sure where that came from or if he was just judging me, so we're going to have to talk about that."
Cowherd was a full participant in practice, and carried his own helmet through a humid May session.
"I said, 'Want me to carry it?'" Olsen said. "He said, 'Nah, I got it.' I said, 'All right, man. I wish I had somebody to carry my helmet.'"
Cowherd offered Olsen some words of motivation.
"Keep pounding," the child said.