Maria Shriver asks Kings coach & son to be torch bearers in Special Olympics World Games
Maria Shriver waited for Darryl Sutter after the Kings' comeback win over Chicago for a quick chat at Staples Center.
She had a request, and it had nothing to do with hockey.
Shriver asked if she could speak to his son, Chris Sutter.
After a quick introduction to some of her family, Shriver asked Chris if he and his dad would like to be involved in the Special Olympics' World Games that will be in Los Angeles this summer.
She had an important request, to see if Chris and his dad would run with the torch as part of the relay around the country leading up to the event that will bring 7,000 athletes and 30,000 volunteers to Los Angeles.
After chatting with this dad about it, Chris Sutter was all smiles and accepted her offer.
Cool moment after @lakings game. @mariashriver asks Chris sutter to run w torch in @specialolympics relay https://t.co/tA1Em2BTSL
— Jill Painter Lopez (@jillpainter) January 29, 2015
Chris Sutter has participated in two Special Olympics games in Canada, where the Sutters live in the offseason.
"I've been to the ones in Canada before and now it's here in L.A.," Chris Sutter told FOX Sports West. "It will be so fun to be here."
The conversation between the Shrivers and Sutters happened in a hallway of the arena after the Kings snapped a four-game losing streak with a thrilling victory over the Blackhawks.
Chris Sutter is a big hockey fan, but he's also a big fan of the Special Olympics. Chris Sutter, who has Down Syndrome, has participated for Alberta's bowling team. The Sutters attended last year's games in Vancouver.
When the Kings were in the middle of their run to another Stanley Cup championship in 2013, Sutter was talking about his son and his important game on the schedule, the Special Olympics. He had the date memorized, too.
The special bond between the Sutters has been adored by Kings fans, but the nation got to see their love on display when Chris Sutter was next to his dad on the bench as Darryl Sutter coached in the NHL All-Star Game last week.
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Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Maria Shriver's late mother, founded the Special Olympics. The event is in Los Angeles, and Shriver lives in Brentwood.
Los Angeles now has two of its professional coaches now involved in the Special Olympics. Clippers coach Doc Rivers is on the board for the World Games. Rivers was on the campaign trail to get more publicity for the event after a recent practice.
Shriver told the Sutters that her son, Christopher, was the one who had the idea to invite Chris Sutter to help with the World Games. Christopher Schwarzenegger was also at the Kings game and was wearing an old Ziggy Palffy Kings jersey. The Sutters and Shrivers took some photos, too.
And after the meet-and-greet was done, Chris Sutter happily ran down the hallway.
Great @LAKings victory lead by Coach Sutter & his son Chris w my @CShriver573. pic.twitter.com/TpDsCduJWz
— Maria Shriver (@mariashriver) January 29, 2015
