3. Marquise is the self-appointed “big-brother” of a terminally-ill 12-year-old 49er fan.

Marquise Goodwin, pictured with Austin DeMello, a 12-year-old Stage IV brain cancer patient and 49er fan. Goodwin is a repeat host for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

In August, Goodwin met Austin DeMello at a Make-A-Wish Foundation event. Austin is a 12-year-old 49ers fan diagnosed with Stage IV terminal brain cancer. Goodwin later invited Austin to the 49ers’ stadium and team facility, and ended up spending the full day with Austin. Their day began with a private tour of the 49ers stadium and locker room facility. Next, Marquise took Austin to lunch at a swank Santa Clara steakhouse. After lunch, the two wrapped the day with a competitive series of Madden 17 games — all of which were won by Austin. Before Austin and his family went back to San Diego, Marquise left him with a message to remember when times get tough. “Just know that you’ve got a lot of people that love you and care about you,” Goodwin told Austin, “including the 49ers.”

“The fact that Austin’s family comes out here, they’re supporting him, loving him and not giving up on him, I love that,” Goodwin said, “because my mom didn’t give up on my sister.”

READ ON TO LEARN ABOUT MARQUISE’S OLYMPIC BACKGROUND
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