At Orlando City Stadium in Florida, a U.S. Women’s Soccer League match unfolded on the 20th. The Orlando Pride, based in Florida, faced off against the Sky Blue team, clinching a 1-0 victory on their home turf. Amidst the excitement, a young spectator caught the attention of many.
On the 23rd, Fox News and other outlets reported that one-year-old Joseph Teed, affectionately known as the ‘handless baby angel,’ made a heartwarming appearance at the stadium to support his idol, Carson Pickett, dubbed the ‘handless soccer star.’ Joseph, with unwavering determination, approached Amy Alamiyo-Siecel, who shares his condition of lacking a left hand, and embraced her without hesitation, sparking a touching interaction.
In February of last year, Joseph Teed garnered attention once again for his encounter with NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin, who, like Joseph, is without hands. At 18 months old, Joseph was born with a congenital disability that resulted in the absence of his left arm and hand below his elbow. A poignant image surfaced last year of Joseph embracing a woman with a similar condition at an event, earning him the endearing moniker of ‘handless baby angel’ within his local community.
At just one year old, Teed gazed at Amy Alamiyoshi Essel, who shared his condition of having no left hand, and instinctively rushed over to embrace her, sharing his affection without hesitation. Their heartwarming embrace resonated deeply with onlookers, once again drawing attention to Teed’s encounters, including his memorable meeting with NFL linebacker Shaquem Griffin (24) in February.
Then, on the 20th, Teed had another special encounter, this time with Carson Pickett (25), a prominent member of the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
Pickett and Teed crossed paths for the first time following a game against the Portland Thorns FC last April. Similar to Teed, Pickett was born without a left hand. Despite this challenge, her fervor for soccer remained unstoppable. Beginning her professional career in 2010, she has blossomed into a star player, earning accolades such as being named Gatorade’s Female Soccer Player of the Year in 2012.
Pickett, who has triumphed over her disability, reunited with her team following a match against her former club, the Portland Thorns FC, last April. Observing the constant smile on the baby’s face, who shared her condition of having no left hand, she approached him with curiosity, remarking, “I see we have the same arm.”
“Pickett knelt down beside Teed and showed him her arms,” Teed’s father, Myles Teed, recounted to Fox News. “It was a moment where a bond formed between the two of them that we couldn’t quite grasp.” Pickett also expressed her hope that Teed, like herself, would have the confidence to believe that she can accomplish anything.
The two individuals, bonded by a remarkable connection, crossed paths once again at the stadium last week. Demonstrating their strong friendship, Pickett clasped her left arm with Teed, who continued to radiate an angelic smile from the stands. “Growing up, ‘no’ and ‘I can’t’ were forbidden words,” Pickett reflected. “In our household, uttering those words was akin to swearing. I believe it was this atmosphere that enabled me to challenge myself relentlessly, never giving up,” she added, offering encouragement to Teed.
Expressing gratitude, Pickett described meeting Teed as a “privilege and an honor,” smiling as she remarked, “I would be delighted if I could positively impact people’s lives alongside Teed.”