Area Bengals fan battling ALS, daughter continue to make memories as team heads to AFC Championship

DAYTON — Paul Miracle has turned into a little bit of a celebrity since News Center 7 first shared his story.

The lifelong Bengals fan has been diagnosed ALS and is enjoying every minute watching the Bengals continue their historic season.

Paul and his daughter, Sarah, told News Center 7′s James Rider that even Tennessee Titans fans recognized him in Nashville last weekend at the divisional round game between the Bengals and Titans and wanted to take pictures with him.

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Sarah Miracle said her family has received an abundance of support from people reaching out and wanting to give Paul things.

“People reaching out, talking to me about their families who have had similar situations, and they’re so supportive,” she said.

Paul was even gifted a signed AJ Green jersey from someone he met at the Bengals Wild Card game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

“There are thousands and thousands, and millions of wonderful people in this world,” Paul Miracle said.

At every game, Paul and Sarah said they have a superstition: they have got to have nachos and pepperoni pizza. It was something they even continued when they traveled to Nashville and might have even helped give the Bengals a boost of luck. The pair noted that Cincinnati was not doing that well prior to getting their pizza.

Superstitions aside, Paul told News Center 7 before the Bengals claimed their first playoff win in 31 years, that he was adamant that Cincinnati would make it deep into the playoffs this year. He also said that this very well could be his last season watching his favorite team.

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“Makes me feel like I am just the luckiest guy in the world to have this happening the way that it’s unfolding,” Paul Miracle said.

Paul and Sarah were able to go see the Bengals play in Nashville thanks to donations from a GoFundMe, but the love and support he has felt the past few weeks is second only to the cherished memories he has been able to make with his daughter.

“It’s hard to even talk about because it’s been amazing. I didn’t think that it was going to go this far,” Sarah Miracle said. “To go to one playoff game was amazing; to go to two is even better. I have no words. I can’t believe it.”

Paul and Sarah are looking to make even more memories as they travel to Kansas City. Another online fundraiser has been made to try and help offset some of the costs.

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