7-Year-Old's Halloween Costume Leads to a Surprise Meeting with Toronto Maple Leafs Captain Auston Matthews
A 7-year-old had a Halloween costume dressed up as an Auston Matthews hockey card, and the Leafs superstar himself showed up for a big surprise.
Seven-year-old Grayson Joseph of Trenton, Ontario might just be the Toronto Maple Leafs' most diehard young fan, and he's taking that devotion to a whole new level this Halloween.
Imitating the Toronto team's captain, Auston Matthews, Grayson decided that he is going trick-or-treating as an Auston Matthews hockey card, along with a costume that has caught the fascination of fans online. All it took was some creative collaboration with his dad Grant, and now this one-of-a-kind costume is taking Grayson's dedication to the next level and taking social media by storm.
This is a much better costume choice than that of Rangers player Vincent Trotcheck, who was under massive scrutiny earlier today, and it's that time of the year where we see the best and worst of people.
Grayson's Halloween costume idea sprouted from a similar creation he had found online. According to his father Grant, Grayson came across a Golden State Warriors trading card costume for Stephen Curry online and immediately knew he wanted to do something alike but with Matthews instead. Grant said his son's love of Auston Matthews and the Leafs made this a no-brainer, so they contacted a design company to make Grayson's dream a reality. In just over a week, they were able to mock up an exact replica of Matthews' trading card, complete with every tiny detail a fan would recognize.
Things only got more exciting when the Toronto Maple Leafs decided to give Grayson an experience he would never forget: having him meet Auston Matthews himself at the Scotiabank Arena and giving Grayson an up-close-and-personal way to show off his impressive costume.
As Grayson entered the arena in his life-sized trading card outfit, fans, and teammates were astounded at the originality and work within the costume, which got further ramped up as Matthews shared the video with his own social media followers.
Not only did Grayson get to meet his hero and doppelganger, but he also got an up close and personal look at the Maple Leafs practice, and even had a tussle with Ryan Reaves as Grayson wanted to throw down and Reaves had no issues obliging him:
Reaves ended the interaction with a frankly adorable statement:
But it's a TikTok video of Grayson in costume that has stormed the internet, so far catapulting him into sensation status.
Donning Auston Matthews' team sweater, fully down to his trademark mustache, Grayson's impression of his favorite player has stolen the hearts of hockey enthusiasts everywhere and created one of those unique, heartwarming moments on social media. The bond between Grayson and Matthews is just one reflection of what sports heroes do for young fans, which is to motivate creativity and bring delight in ways unimaginable.
But Grayson's Halloween costume is more than a clever homage; it's a reminder of the happiness sports can bring to fans of all ages. Celebrating Halloween in the costume of his hero, Grayson makes for a great example of how role models are affecting their youngest admirers.
His moment of virality has inspired many in the spirit of fandom, proving sometimes a costume is more than mere dress-up; it's about paying tribute to the idols behind the fun that brings people together.
