Rice breaks promise to Rashford but delights tearful young fan

West Ham captain Declan Rice was named Player of the Match in their 1-0 victory over Manchester United on Sunday. It was a big win for West Ham, who is now seven points clear of Nottingham Forest in the final relegation spot in the Premier League. Rice was the first player in England’s top flight to reach 60+ interceptions in the first-half of a game. But it’s not just on the field that Rice stands out. He’s just as great off the field as well.

Rice give game shirt to crying young fan

Though Rice had originally promised to give his game-winning shirt to United player and fellow England international teammate Marcus Rashford, he had to break that promise after an encounter with a young fan. But it’s doubtful Rashford will mind much as the gesture was definitely heartwarming.

As Rice was walking around the stadium after the victory, he spotted a young fan crying in the stands. He came up to him and asked him why he was crying and if he was all right before giving him a big hug. The young fan requested the shirt and of course, Rice obliged.

“You know what, I did promise it to Rashford,” said Rice before taking off his shirt to give to the youngster. “Don’t show them lot [some other fans] because I’ve just told them I’m going to give it to Rashford, but I’ll give him another one!”

The video of the interaction went viral on social media. It comes just after several reports of Premier League players snubbing fans have been making the rounds. Some Arsenal players were called “rude” for snubbing an eight-year old girl and the Leeds players were criticized for ignoring fans who awaited them at a hotel in Bournemouth.

Rice, on the other hand, made this little boy’s day by giving him hugs, kind words, and the shirt off his back. At the time, no one had a pen for him to sign the shirt, but Rice has promised to sign it at another time.

After the game, Rice expressed his excitement about the victory.

“It’s massive. The points it puts us on now put a nice gap between us and the teams at the bottom,” he said. “There’s still three to go but the significance of the three points is massive.”