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Bronx, N.Y. (September 12, 2013) - Despite the 2-0 start, Fordham's first 2-0 start since 2003, the Rams are always looking for new players. One such player joined the team today as 12-year-old Jonah Shainberg was officially adopted by the Rams through the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation.
 
Shainberg and his father, Joshua, attended practice on Thursday where they got to see the Rams as they prepared for their game with Temple in Philadelphia on Saturday. At the end of practice, head coach Joe Moorhead called Jonah out to midfield to meet the team and then had the squad run a play where Jonah took the ball from quarterback Mike Nebrich and raced 60 yards for the score. The team met Jonah in the end zone and carried him to the locker room on their shoulders.  
 
In the locker room, Michelle DeIeso, Executive Director, and Katie Johnson, Adoption Coordinator, from the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation spoke to the team before handing the floor over to Jonah. He explained the history of his illness to the team and spoke of how excited he was to be involved with the Rams.
 
Jonah led the team breakdown and the four captains led Jonah to his locker, which was full of Fordham football gear, including t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats and a signed football.
 
While the players showered for dinner, Jonah went to the football offices where Moorhead spent time showing him how the Rams break down film from the games for the coaches.
 
Following an interview with News 12 Bronx, Jonah was escorted by the captains to The Marketplace for dinner.
 
 
"This was a tremendous honor for our team," said Moorhead. "We are thrilled to be able to add a person like Jonah to our roster. He has been through so much in life and maintains such a positive attitude. We are looking forward to having him with us in meetings and on the sidelines and will look to him for inspiration as the year goes on."
 
The Friends of Jaclyn Foundation, a 501(c)(3), non-profit, charitable organization that improves the quality of life for children suffering with pediatric brain tumors and their families. FOJ is all about love, support, and friendship. FOJ matches a child with a college or high school sports team based on geographic location. Once the team and child have been matched, there is a ceremonial adoption. The child is surrounded by 20 or 30 new friends that rally around him or her. A deep bond is formed between the child, the child's family and the sports team.  The relationship is a priceless gift. The gift is in the relationship; a child is gaining a loving support network and the team is gaining an insight into the value of life and the power of love. The result of this connection is mutual respect, support, friendship and love.