Not Many People Knew Until the Hospital Announced It: Julian Sayin Had Quietly Covered the Full Cost of Brain Tumor Surgery for a 9-Year-Old Girl After Learning That Her Biggest Dream Was to Meet Him Just Once.

Additionally, Julian Sayin Performed One Small Act That Could Change the Little Girl’s Life Forever.

In a heartwarming story that has captured the attention of college football fans nationwide, Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Julian Sayin has revealed a side of himself far removed from the bright lights of the gridiron.

The 20-year-old sophomore, fresh off a breakout 2025 season where he nearly shattered NCAA passing records and finished as a Heisman Trophy finalist, quietly stepped in to change the life of a young fan battling a serious illness.

The revelation came earlier this week when Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, issued a press release thanking an anonymous donor for covering the full expenses of a complex brain tumor surgery for 9-year-old Mia Thompson, a patient from a small town in central Ohio.

Only after the announcement did details emerge that the donor was none other than Sayin himself.

Mia, an avid Buckeyes fan despite her ongoing health struggles, had been diagnosed with a benign but aggressive brain tumor earlier in 2025.

Her family, facing mounting medical bills that threatened to overwhelm them, had shared in a local Make-A-Wish-style request that Mia’s greatest dream was simply to meet her hero: Julian Sayin.

The young girl had followed his journey from high school phenom in Carlsbad, California, to his transfer to Ohio State and his stellar performance leading the Buckeyes to the College Football Playoff.

Sources close to the situation say Sayin learned of Mia’s story through a mutual connection in the Ohio State athletic department during the height of the 2025 season.

Rather than arranging a simple meet-and-greet, the quarterback reportedly contacted the hospital privately and insisted on covering the entire cost of the surgery—estimated at over $250,000—including pre-operative care, the procedure itself, and post-operative rehabilitation.

He did so anonymously, asking that his name not be revealed until the family and hospital felt the time was right.

“Julian didn’t want any fanfare,” said a hospital spokesperson. “He told us he was just doing what anyone in his position should do—helping a kid who needed it. But Mia’s dream was to meet him, and he wanted to make sure she got the chance after she was healthy enough.”

The surgery, performed successfully in late December 2025, removed the tumor completely, giving Mia a strong prognosis for full recovery. Doctors described the procedure as life-saving, noting that delays due to financial constraints could have led to severe complications.

But Sayin’s generosity didn’t stop at the financial contribution. In what many are calling the “small act” that could profoundly impact Mia’s future, the quarterback personally visited her in recovery just days after the operation.

During the private visit—kept quiet until the hospital’s announcement—Sayin spent over an hour with Mia and her family. He brought signed Buckeyes gear, shared stories from the season, and, most touchingly, promised to mentor her in pursuing her own dreams.

Mia, who has expressed interest in sports medicine inspired by her ordeal, received something even more valuable: Sayin connected her with Ohio State’s athletic training staff for ongoing mentorship and even arranged for her to shadow team doctors during the offseason.

He also pledged to fund her college education if she chooses a path in healthcare or sports-related fields.

“He told me that meeting me was his honor, not the other way around,” Mia’s mother shared in an emotional interview. “Julian said her strength on the field reminded him of the courage kids like Mia show every day. He made her feel like a superstar.”

Sayin’s act of kindness comes at a time when the young quarterback is already a household name in college football circles.

After transferring from Alabama and stepping into the starting role in 2025, he threw for 3,610 yards and 32 touchdowns, leading Ohio State to an undefeated regular season before a tough Cotton Bowl loss.

Known for his poise under pressure and California-cool demeanor off the field, Sayin has rarely sought the spotlight for personal matters.

This isn’t Sayin’s first brush with hospital philanthropy. As a toddler, he suffered severe burns and received life-changing care in San Diego, an experience that has driven his visits to Nationwide Children’s burn unit and other patient interactions. But covering an entire surgery marks a new level of commitment.

Fans have flooded social media with praise, with hashtags like #SayinSaves and #BuckeyeHero trending. Teammates, including star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, have voiced admiration. “That’s just Juju,” Smith posted on X. “Quiet leader on and off the field.”

As Sayin prepares for what many predict will be a Heisman-contending 2026 season, this story serves as a reminder of the impact athletes can have beyond statistics.

For Mia Thompson, now on the road to recovery with a bright future ahead, meeting her idol wasn’t just a dream come true—it was the start of a new chapter, thanks to one quarterback’s extraordinary compassion.

In a sport often dominated by headlines of rivalries and records, Julian Sayin’s quiet heroism stands out as a touchdown for humanity