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Dying Colorado man gets to meet Peyton Manning via telephone

Posted at 11:04 AM, Sep 06, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-06 18:46:25-04

DELTA, Colo. -- A man who received a diagnosis that gave him just weeks to live set out to meet his idol. That dream became a reality. 

Aryn Gallegos learned in late August he would have just about a month to live. He expressed he wanted his son to be named Peyton and set out to meet his idol. 

That's when Peyton Manning came calling. Gallegos' wife, who says she is losing her best friend, told Denver7 partner KJCT News that Manning, a future Hall of Fame quarterback who won Super Bowl championships for the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos, gave her husband a call. 

Family members held the phone up to Gallegos' ear when Manning called. Since his tumors have progressed, he can not speak, but he blew Manning a kiss with one finger. 

Gallegos has since been confined to a bed, and may have been able to make a trip to Denver to meet the quarterback himself were he in better health. 

Family members say Gallegos' spirits soared when he received his phone call from his idol. 

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