Stephen Curry Surprises 86-Year-Old Grandmother Who Had Never Seen Him Live — Her Words Make Everyone Admired
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The Notebook of Hope: Kitty Ford’s Unwavering Devotion to Steph Curry
In the quiet town of Mechanicville, New York, mornings began with gentle sunlight filtering through lace curtains and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. At 86 years old, Kitty Ford had long embraced a simple routine, one that brought her joy and connection in ways few could understand. Every morning after a Golden State Warriors game, she would rise early, prepare her coffee, and settle down at her wooden desk—an heirloom passed down from her late husband. From a drawer, she would retrieve a worn notebook, its cover adorned with a photo of the Warriors celebrating their 2022 NBA Championship. At the center of the image stood Steph Curry, MVP trophy in hand, his smile radiant and warm—the kind of smile Kitty always described as “lit from within.”
“Let’s see how my boy did last night,” Kitty murmured softly, adjusting her glasses as she flipped to a page marked by a golden paperclip.
This notebook was no ordinary journal. It was a meticulous chronicle of Steph Curry’s career, a labor of love that Kitty had maintained since she first discovered the Warriors’ star in 2014. Each page was filled with detailed statistics—points scored, assists, rebounds, steals, and three-point shots. Alongside the numbers were Kitty’s personal comments: “incredible movement in the third quarter,” “needed to pass the ball on that play,” notes that reflected her intimate understanding of the game. To Kitty, it was as if Curry could hear her advice through the pages.
Kitty had never been a basketball fan before. Her love for sports had once been tied to her sons, who had been high school athletes. For years, she had kept similar notebooks, tracking their games and achievements. But after they grew up and moved on, that connection faded—until the day she stumbled upon a Warriors game on TV. Something about Steph Curry’s style captivated her. “He plays with joy,” she would tell anyone who asked. “It’s not about being the biggest or strongest—it’s about intelligence, hard work, and believing in something greater than yourself.”
Her granddaughter Maddie, 23, had grown up hearing these stories. At first, she found her grandmother’s devotion amusing, even eccentric. But over time, Maddie realized this connection was something deeper—a source of hope and inspiration for Kitty in her later years.
One weekend, Maddie visited her grandmother’s kitchen just as Kitty was reviewing the latest game’s stats. “Grandma, did you watch the game last night?” she asked.
“Of course!” Kitty replied, her eyes sparkling. “Three points in the last seconds—my heart almost couldn’t take it.”
Maddie smiled as she watched Kitty carefully note down every detail, consulting her tablet for official statistics. “You know,” Maddie teased, “you already have a whole section in the notebook just for clutch shots in the last minutes, right?”
Kitty chuckled, turning pages to show her granddaughter. “That boy has nerves of steel.”
Inspired by her grandmother’s passion, Maddie had an idea. She quietly took out her phone and began filming Kitty as she explained the organization of her notebook—the sections by seasons, special games marked with gold stickers, and the place of honor in the living room where a Steph Curry bobblehead sat among religious figures.
“You know what he says here?” Kitty asked, holding up a magazine with a highlighted quote. “‘I hope to inspire people around the world to simply be themselves, be humble, and be grateful for all the blessings in their lives.’ That’s why I like him so much. He understands what really matters.”
Maddie edited the video that night, adding captions and posted it on TikTok with the caption: “My 86-year-old grandmother is the biggest Steph Curry fan you’ve ever seen.” She never imagined the video would change everything.
The next morning, Maddie woke to a flood of notifications. Her phone buzzed incessantly with likes, shares, and comments. The video had gone viral—hundreds of thousands, then millions of views. Comments poured in from fans moved by Kitty’s pure and genuine devotion. “This lady is the definition of a loyal fan,” one wrote. “Please someone make sure Steph Curry sees this!” said another.
Maddie called her grandmother, barely able to contain her excitement. “Grandma, are you sitting down? You won’t believe what’s happening.”
Kitty, still unaware of the storm her simple act of fandom had stirred, listened as Maddie explained the viral sensation. Across the country, basketball fans connected with Kitty’s story, drawn to the innocence and sincerity of her love for the game and for Curry.
In San Francisco, the Warriors’ social media team was abuzz. The video had been shared by influencers and even caught the attention of players. During a morning meeting, they decided to share it on the team’s official platforms, captioning it: “Grandma Kitty keeps a notebook to track every game Steph plays. In March, she’ll have the chance to see him play live.”
The internet’s magic worked swiftly. Within hours, Kitty’s story was featured during ESPN commercial breaks, mentioned on popular basketball podcasts, and shared by NBA stars themselves. Then, an official email arrived for Maddie—from the Golden State Warriors organization, inviting them to discuss a special project.
After a brief conversation, Maddie agreed to the plan, though the hardest part was keeping it a secret from Kitty. The team wanted to surprise her.
Meanwhile, Kitty continued her routine, completely unaware of the excitement building around her. She was carefully noting down the latest game’s statistics when Maddie arrived for a casual visit.
“Grandma, how about a family lunch on Sunday? It’s been a while since we all got together,” Maddie suggested.
“Of course, dear,” Kitty replied, smiling, not knowing that this family gathering would soon become the most memorable day of her life.
Sunday arrived with laughter, hugs, and the warmth of family filling the house. After the meal, when everyone was settled in the living room, Maddie asked for attention.
“Grandma, we have a little surprise for you,” she announced, connecting her phone to the television.
Kitty’s heart nearly stopped when Steph Curry appeared on the screen, looking directly at her with that familiar radiant smile.
“Hello Mrs. Kitty,” Curry began warmly. “I want to say thank you for being such a loyal fan and for supporting our team. I heard you watch all our games on League Pass and keep a special notebook tracking our statistics.”
Kitty covered her mouth, eyes wide with shock and joy. Her family captured the moment on camera—the instant when a lifelong dream became real.
“We would love to have you and your notebook,” Curry continued. “You don’t need to watch on League Pass anymore. We’re inviting you to our game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 6th at the Barclays Center. We hope to see you there.”
Tears ran freely down Kitty’s face—tears of happiness and disbelief.
“Is this real?” she whispered, looking around at her family.
“Yes, Grandma,” Maddie confirmed, holding her trembling hands. “The team reached out after seeing the video. Everything is arranged—tickets, accommodation, and yes, you’ll meet Steph Curry in person.”
In the days that followed, Kitty’s excitement grew. She reviewed her notebook, making sure every page was perfect. She pondered what to wear and rehearsed questions she might ask Steph.
“What if he thinks I’m just a silly old woman?” she confided one night.
“Grandma, he specifically asked for you to bring your notebook,” Maddie reassured her. “He’s genuinely interested in your work and support.”
March 6th arrived. The trip from Mechanicville to Brooklyn was filled with anticipation. Kitty, wearing her official Warriors jersey with Curry’s number 30, clutched her precious notebook like a treasured heirloom.
At Barclays Center, the family was escorted to prime seats near the court. The players were warming up when Steph Curry appeared, effortlessly sinking three-pointers. Kitty applauded enthusiastically, catching the attention of those nearby—and eventually, Curry himself.
He looked directly at her, smiled, and waved discreetly. Kitty’s heart raced. “He saw me! He waved at me!” she exclaimed, squeezing Maddie’s arm.
The game was magical. Curry seemed inspired, playing as if for Kitty alone. His impossible shots, magical passes, and contagious energy electrified the arena. In the third quarter, he made a half-court shot that sent the crowd into a frenzy. Turning back on defense, he looked straight at Kitty and made his famous “night night” gesture, dedicating the moment to her.
Tears streamed down Kitty’s face—one of the most perfect moments in her 86 years.
The Warriors won, fueled by Curry’s 40 points and seven three-pointers. As the crowd dispersed, Kitty’s family was asked to stay. Moments later, Steph Curry approached Kitty’s wheelchair.
“Mrs. Kitty,” he said, crouching to her level, “it’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”
Kitty, usually talkative, was speechless. Tears flowed as she extended her trembling hand, which Curry gently held.
“You played wonderfully tonight,” she said, voice choked with emotion. “That half-court shot—I knew it would go in. I always know.”
Curry laughed, genuinely touched. “I heard you have a special notebook. May I see it?”
With reverence, Kitty opened the notebook. The pages were yellowed, some stained with coffee, filled with her meticulous handwriting, glued newspaper clippings, and detailed observations—a chronicle of Curry’s career through the eyes of a devoted fan who never lost faith.
“This is incredible,” Curry murmured, flipping through the pages. “You really noted down every game?”
“Every single one,” Kitty replied proudly. “Even the ones where you didn’t play so well. Especially those.”
He stopped at a page with a quote she treasured: “I hope to inspire people around the world to simply be themselves, be humble, and be grateful for all the blessings in their lives.”
“That’s my favorite part,” Kitty explained. “In 86 years, I’ve learned that character is what matters—not trophies or medals, but how you treat others, face adversity, and stay humble when the world is at your feet.”
She paused, taking a deep breath. “My sons were athletes, not professionals like you—just high school boys. But I always told them that an athlete’s value isn’t just talent, but heart. When I saw you play on TV, I told them, ‘Do you know this player? He plays with heart.’ And do you know what they gave me for Mother’s Day a few years ago?”
Kitty pulled out a card tucked between the pages and read aloud: “Happy Mother’s Day, Mom. Thank you for teaching us to love God, each other, and Steph.”
Curry’s laughter was warm, his eyes shining with contained emotion.
“Mr. Curry,” Kitty continued, now holding his hand firmly, “you probably don’t fully understand the impact you have on people’s lives. It’s not just basketball. It’s seeing someone who, despite all the challenges—people saying you were too short, too skinny, not strong enough—persisted and triumphed without losing your essence. You gave me something to look forward to on dark, lonely days. You brought joy to my old age.”
The silence that followed was heavy with meaning. Curry, usually eloquent, searched for words.
“Mrs. Kitty,” he finally said, “people like you are the reason we play. Not the contracts, commercials, or shoes with our names on them. It’s knowing that what we do matters to someone.”
He turned to an assistant who brought a special Warriors jersey. It bore the number 30, but the name on the back wasn’t Curry’s—it read Grandma Kitty.
“I wanted to have something special for you,” Curry said, handing over the autographed jersey. “Thank you for being more than a fan—for being an inspiration.”
Kitty’s eyes widened with joy as she traced the letters of her nickname. “And I’ve never had anyone cheering every shot I made during warm-ups,” Curry added with a smile. “That gave me extra energy. This win was for you.”
Announcements called Curry away, but before leaving, he leaned in and gently hugged Kitty—a moment captured by cameras but felt intimately by both.
“Thank you for reminding me why I love this game,” Curry whispered.
“Thank you for making me believe in dreams—even at 86 years old,” Kitty replied.
Weeks later, back in Mechanicville, Kitty sat in her favorite chair. The notebook was open to a new section titled The Day I Met Steph. The framed jersey hung proudly on the wall beside family photos.
Meanwhile, in Golden State, Curry kept a photo in his locker—himself beside an elderly lady with a notebook. A handwritten dedication read:
“May you continue to inspire generations with your grace, humility, and heart. With love, your fan, Grandma Kitty.”
Two spirits, connected by the transformative power of sport, dedication, and unwavering belief—that sometimes, the greatest heroes aren’t those who lift trophies, but those who lift others with their example.
For Kitty, the notebook was no longer just a record of games. It was a testament to hope, faith, and the magic of dreams realized. And for Steph Curry, it was a reminder of the true meaning of legacy
