Thephayonh “Lee” Promsenmuong had no idea what was to come when he woke up yesterday in his bed at the Rehabilitation Center of Independence. The 63-year-old man had suffered a heart attack three months back that had required a defibrillator to revive him.
But not even heart failure could stop Lee from following his favorite soccer team. Although originally from Thailand, Lee quickly became a Sporting Kansas City fan when the team played its inaugural season in 1996. He’s attended games regularly over the past ten years and frequently tailgates with the KC Cauldron pregame.
Many players have come and gone during Lee’s tenure as a fan, but one has always stuck out as Lee’s favorite: Graham Zusi. On Thursday, Lee was given the type of gift that one will never forget.
Crossroads Hospice has a program called Gift of the Day where they grant one final wish to their residents. Lee’s wish was to attend a Sporting Kansas City game. Yesterday, Zusi surprised Lee with a personalized jersey and tickets to Sporting KC’s home opener against the Vancouver Whitecaps on March 12. The two enjoyed lunch and reminisced about some of the great moments in Sporting KC history. It was a touching moment that left equally as big an impression on Zusi as it did Lee.
Click here to read Sam McDowell's story in the Kansas City Star about Zusi's visit with Lee.
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