Chris Evans, aka Captain America/Steve Rogers, has reached out to a kid who was being targeted by bullies and offered to take him to next year’s Avengers: Infinity War premiere.
You may have heard yesterday about the heartbreaking story of Keaton Jones, a student from Knoxville, Tennessee who posted a tear-filled video discussing the torment he’s suffering at the hands of some bullies.
His mother Kimberly uploaded her son’s emotionally-charged video to bring to light the bullying Keaton is going through and to create awareness.
For the record, Keaton asked to do this AFTER he had he me pick him up AGAIN because he was afraid to go to lunch. My kids are by no stretch perfect, & at home, he's as all boy as they come, but by all accounts he's good at school. Talk to your kids. I've even had friends of mine tell me they're kids were only nice to him to get him to mess with people. We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere.
Posted by Kimberly Jones on Friday, 8 December 2017
The video immediately went viral with several well-known celebrities offering their love and support for Keaton, one of them turned out to be the ‘First Avenger’ himself Captain America, reports Mashable.
Actor Chris Evans was so touched by Keaton’s story he wanted a chance to hang out with him, he even offered to take him as his special guest at next year’s highly anticipated Avengers: Infinity War premiere next year in LA.
Taking to Twitter, Evans wrote:
Stay strong, Keaton. Don’t let them make you turn cold. I promise it gets better. While those punks at your school are deciding what kind of people they want to be in this world, how would you and your mom like to come to the Avengers premiere in LA next year?
Stay strong, Keaton. Don’t let them make you turn cold. I promise it gets better. While those punks at your school are deciding what kind of people they want to be in this world, how would you and your mom like to come to the Avengers premiere in LA next year? https://t.co/s1QwCQ3toi
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) December 10, 2017
This was followed up by fellow Avenger Mark Ruffalo, who plays Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk. He to wanted to hang out with young Keaton too.
Ruffalo posted on Twitter:
Keaton, will you’ve my guest at the Premiere of #InfinityWar too? I think you are about one of the coolest kids I have ever seen! Can’t wait to meet you in person, pal. Forget those ignorant kids. One day, very soon, they are going to feel pretty stupid for this.
Keaton, will you’ve my guest at the Premiere of #InfinityWar too? I think you are about one of the coolest kids I have ever seen! Can’t wait to meet you in person, pal. Forget those ignorant kids. One day, very soon, they are going to feel pretty stupid for this. https://t.co/BqJLxu25GN
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 11, 2017
It wasn’t only Marvel’s ‘real life superheroes’ who offered their support for Keaton Jones, well known faces like UFC’s Dana White, WWE’s Chris Jericho and EPSN host Jemele Hill offered their love and support to young student.
Meet Keaton Jones a very smart little boy who is being bullied at school. This video is heartbreaking!! I want to bring Keaton to Vegas and hang out at UFC Headquarters. If anyone knows how i can reach the family please let me know. Thank u everyone pic.twitter.com/BR8c4ldDFc
— Dana White (@danawhite) December 10, 2017
You got a friend in me buddy. I might have to make a trip to Knoxville and talk to those assclowns …… https://t.co/HwuybRvMix
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) December 11, 2017
Hey Keaton, unfortunately you aren't alone. A lot of kids are bullied, but they will be so uplifted by your courage. You're a hero, young man. You are treasured and valued. Let me know if you'd ever like to visit ESPN. You can be my special guest. https://t.co/N8mkUTYnEy
— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 11, 2017
When Kimberly posted the original video on Facebook she wrote a furious message calling out the cowardly bullies terrorising her son which read:
For the record, Keaton asked to do this AFTER he had he me pick him up AGAIN because he was afraid to go to lunch. My kids are by no stretch perfect, & at home, he’s as all boy as they come, but by all accounts he’s good at school.
Talk to your kids. I’ve even had friends of mine tell me they’re kids were only nice to him to get him to mess with people. We all know how it feels to want to belong, but only a select few know how it really feels not to belong anywhere.
@DonteStallworth @Lakyn_Jones hopefully my video and the tweets that Keaton have been getting brings awareness to bullying and how serious it is in our school system pic.twitter.com/1Dujv3RxA5
— Delanie walker (@delaniewalker82) December 9, 2017
Since going viral in the last 24 hours Kimberly and Keaton’s video has been viewed and shared over 20 million times.
Oh and for those who are picking on Keaton and kids just like him, you need to take a long hard look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself ‘What kind of person you are’ and ‘What kind of person you want to be in future’, that’s not me speaking, that’s from Captain America.
If you have been affected by this story or need to talk to someone in confidence call Childline free on 0800 1111.