His hashtag is trending nationwide, his story touched a community, and an entire nation.
Those same people are in mourning, as we found out #ajsoars has gotten his angel wings.
My first superhero. That was the final hashtag on Adrian Peterson's Facebook post announcing that his son AJ had passed away.
Within hours #ajsoars was trending around the nation as football fans and parents alike prayed and cried with the former Georgia Southern and Chicago Bears star who couldn't outrun the biggest hit of his life.
Thoughts, prayers and sorrow.
Those are the words most common in the dozens upon dozens of condolences on Adrian Peterson's Facebook page.
For nine months people have shared AJ's story. A six year old boy diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor.
"Shocked is the best word I can come up with now," Adrian Peterson told News 3 back in September about the day his son was diagnosed. "It went from being a really loving, spirited 6 year old to being a sick 6 year old."
When News 3 talked to Adrian back in September his spirits were high, and so was his hope and faith.
AJ had improved and gone back to school. His father's spirits buoyed by his son's smile, and the support of thousands through the hashtag "ajsoars". An online prayer chain that went nationwide.
"I bet AJ is receiving prayers in each state," Adrian remembered back in September. "And like 15 people from each state make a comment about it...people care."
AJ went through it all with a smile.
Even as his body broke down he made the most of every day. Whether at school or getting made an honorary police officer near Chicago.
His story went from boardrooms to classrooms. Touching kids his own age.
This day in September we followed Adrian to Bulloch Academy where two kids gave up their own birthday presents to help AJ.
"I had a lot of presents at my house," said young William Polk. "I had done this a lot of years and AJ was in the hospital, not doing so well. So I wanted to help him feel better."
"He doesn't have unlimited time on earth so he deserves it," said David Chan, who also gave birthday money to AJ.
David was right, it turned out AJ's time on earth was short but meaningful. Especially to his dad, who helped give AJ wings.
"He has his bike and rides it," explained Adrian. "I jog beside him to be his spotter. because if he does stumble I can catch him. He rides, I see that smile, I keep running."
The Georgia Southern community is in mourning as one of their own has lost his son.
If you would like to help the Petersons' with their mounting medical bills and now funeral expenses, go to their Gofundme page: http://www.gofundme.com/aj-soars
