When Crew fan and Reynoldsburg High School senior Greg Graven's mother passed away at the end of March after a long battle with cancer, he was touched by the outpouring of kind words. There were many well wishes and prayers sent Graven's way, from many people that play many different roles in Graven's life.

As a part of Graven's extended family, Crew Nation lent its support as well. “The Nordecke has been very sympathetic, many members of the different supporter's groups have reached out to me,” Graven said in an email. “A few showed up to both the wake and the funeral service.”

One member of Greg's Crew family thought they should notify another member: the team. An email was sent, and general manager Mark McCullers told Crew goalkeeper William Hesmer. Hesmer then wrote a very personal message on Greg's Facebook wall that afternoon, among the many other wishes of strength and blessings.

Graven said he was shocked to see such humanity shown by Hesmer. “I was very surprised to see that he had written on my wall,” Graven said. “Never had I seen an athlete reach out like that to a fan like that. I was really touched by it.”

Hesmer said that his heart immediately went out to Graven and he was moved to write on his Facebook wall even though the two had never met, and had nothing more than a player/fan relationship. Then, before the Crew match against the New York Red Bulls last Saturday, Hesmer visited Graven in the Nordecke, where Hesmer thanked him for coming out and reiterated that his, and the rest of the club's, prayers were with him and his family.

Hesmer said that he was amazed to see Graven in the stands just one day after suffering such a huge loss, and it really brought home how much more than just a soccer game the Crew is to it's fans. “The fact that he came to the game, despite everything else going on in his life at that moment, was really touching for me. It was humbling,” Hesmer said.

Graven said that the thought of not attending that week's Crew game never crossed his mind. “I love the Crew,” he said. “I feel like it's what my mom would've wanted me to do. She knew how much I enjoy going to games and I feel like it would've upset her for me to sit around and be miserable.”

After the game, Hesmer came to the Nordecke again, and sought out Graven before taking his jersey off and handing it to the Crew Union member. Greg was moved, a second time, at just how much compassion his favorite club was showing in his time of loss. “William went out of his way to reach out to me,” he said. “I was honored that even while he is professional athlete with tons of fans he went out of his way to connect with one individual. It was really special for me.”

Graven, who's been a Crew fan for the past ten years and hasn't missed a home game since 2008 said, “I am more appreciative for the kind words and prayers than words could ever describe. There are some really great people involved in the Crew.”