Former St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Brian Jordan traded the diamond for a hospital hallway Tuesday, visiting SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital to read to young patients and hand out a special kind of teammate.
Jordan, who spent seven seasons in a Cardinals uniform after starring in both MLB and the NFL, joined Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller at the hospital. The former two-sport standout read his first children’s book, I Told You I Can Play, to kids and families on site. Every child at the event received a copy.
The story follows a 6-year-old named Brian who loves football but keeps hearing he’s too small and too young to play with the bigger kids. Jordan has said the tale draws from his own childhood. The message is simple: keep showing up.
“The children at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital and those across the nation go through so much more than any child should have to deal with,” Jordan said. “And as St. Louis has always been a second home to me, having given me my chance to be a big-league baseball player, coming back here and spending time with the kids and families is something I cherish.”
After the reading, children being treated for cancer and sickle cell disease received a My Special Aflac Duck, a robotic companion designed to help them cope with diagnosis and treatment. The duck uses medical play, soundscapes, and RFID emoji cards so kids can show how they feel. Aflac has given away nearly 50,000 of them since 2018, free of charge, to children 3 and older in the United States, Japan, and Northern Ireland.
A three-year clinical study involving 160 patients at eight U.S. hospitals found the ducks helped lower stress and anxiety for both kids and caregivers.
Miller called the visit inspiring. “Brian and My Special Aflac Duck not only brought smiles and laughter to kids who could use some additional attention today, but we know through research that the ducks will help each child and their caregivers now, tomorrow and long into the future.”
Sandy Koller, president of the SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Foundation, thanked both Jordan and Aflac for using their platforms to show up. “We see every day what is possible when people choose to give back and rally around children and families who need them.”
Aflac has supported pediatric cancer and blood-disorder research and treatment for 31 years and more than $200 million. The duck itself was named one of Time magazine’s 50 Best Inventions and won Best in Show at CES and South by Southwest in 2018.
Families, doctors, and support groups can request a free My Special Aflac Duck for eligible children at AflacChildhoodCancer.org.
Jordan has written six inspirational children’s books since hanging up his cleats. Tuesday’s stop in St. Louis was a reminder that the guy who once patrolled the outfield at Busch still knows how to deliver in a tight spot—this time with a story and a duck instead of a bat.
