Blake Cognata, the Fairport, N.Y., high school senior whom Vikings running back Adrian Peterson surprised with a phone call while in the hospital earlier this month, passed away over the weekend.
The family has confirmed Cognata's Saturday passing to several news outlets. Cognata, who was suffering from a rare form of cancer (Ewing's sarcoma) that strikes the bones, would have turned 18 years old Monday.
Peterson's call came within 90 minutes after a Twitter campaign began urging the Pro Bowl running back to contact Cognata, a big Vikings fan. The teen had recently been hospitalized when his health took a turn for the worse.
The Fairport and Rochester community had rallied around Cognata with fundraisers and awareness campaigns since the turn in his condition became public. He was diagnosed with the illness last February and was forced to stop playing lacrosse and football as a result of it.
Peterson tweeted Saturday when he heard the news of Cognata's passing: "My thoughts & prayers go out to the Cognata Family! RIP Blake Cognata Love you brother."
