Pittsburgh Penguins fan Jimmy Mains is the kind of guy you want to have in your corner.
While on his way to last Friday’s game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, a stranger approached him. It was a homeless man named Rob, who was hoping Mains had some money to spare.
Mains told him he did not have any cash, but he did have an extra ticket in his pocket. Instead of turning him away, Mains decided to bring Rob along to watch the hockey game.
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“We went in and the whole time he couldn’t stop smiling,” Mains wrote in his Facebook post. “Once we got to our seats it was time for the National Anthem. Rob took off his hat and sang the whole time.”
Mains, who is a police officer in Rankin, Pa., was blown away by how much Rob appreciated the experience as he had never been inside PPG Paints Arena before.
“He was yelling and cheering the whole game,” he told NHL.com. “It was just great to see a guy, who is obviously a little down on his luck, so happy.”
After some chicken tenders, good conversation and a 5-2 Penguins victory, the two exchanged contact information. Rob was extremely grateful for the kindness his new friend had showed him.
“He told me that I made his life,” Mains said. “He asked me how he could repay me and I told him just to pay it forward.”
