Special Olympics Athlete Dreams Of Singing Anthem At Wrigley

CHICAGO — A Special Olympics athlete sent a request to the Cubs: if he can raise $5,000 for the Special Olympics, would the team consider letting him sing the national anthem at Wrigley Field before a game?

"My name is Stefan Xidas. I'm 30 years old and have Down syndrome," the athlete wrote on his GoFundMe page. "A dream of mine has been to sing the National Anthem at a Chicago Cubs game."

Xidas said he's been a Cubs fan for "as long as he can remember." He penned a handwritten letter to owner Tom Ricketts asking him to consider the deal.

On his GoFundMe page, Xidas explains that Special Olympics is Illinois' largest sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities. He said all funds raised would go to the equipment, attire and health supplies that "can help transform an athlete's life."

As of Tuesday morning, Xidas had raised almost $10,000 — nearly twice the amount proposed.

"If Tom isn't able to make this happen, I will still be donating the money to the Special Olympics," he wrote in his GoFundMe letter. "This is an organization that is helping so many people like myself. I really love and appreciate the work that they do."

"Thank you and go Cubs!" Xidas' letter read.

Top image/video via YouTube.