Ravens WR Steve Smith Accepts Invite, Takes Autistic Teen To Prom

Aubrey Bridges, an 18-year-old high school girl from Dallas, North Carolina, recently watched a video of Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith dancing and immediately thought he would make an awesome prom date.

Ravens WR Steve Smith Accepts Invite, Takes Autistic Teen To Prom

Smith, 36, heard of Bridges’ wish to go to prom with him through WBTV‘s “Molly’s Kids” program. He asked her to prom just like anybody else would.

Bridges suffers from a rare circulation disorder known as Vein of Galen aneurysmal Malformation, which impacts her ability to communicate, and was diagnosed with autism at the age of two.

The Dream on 3 organization helped make it a reality by reaching out to Smith. According to WBTV, Smith also went to meet Bridges and her family earlier in the week, without any cameras, and brought her a pair of diamond earrings, and a necklace.

Smith also made it clear to WBTV that he didn’t want his support to seem like a one-night thing, and acknowledged her hard work. “All these obstacles that she has been through,” he told the station.  “The high expectations her family has put on her. The fact she has met them all. That’s how we should know her. That’s the label I think she deserves. ‘Aubrey. The Girl Who Has Overcome the Challenges’. Not ‘Aubrey. The Autistic Girl’.”

Bridges’ perfect prom night ended with her being crowned North Gaston High School prom queen.

Her parents appeared ecstatic with how much fun their daughter had at the dance with Smith. “We see a new confidence we didn’t see before,” her mother Linda said.

FOXBORO, MA – JANUARY 10: Steve Smith #89 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the New England Patriots during the 2014 AFC Divisional Playoffs game at Gillette Stadium on January 10, 2015 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)