A few days ago Dirk Nowitzki quietly continued his decade-plus tradition of visiting sick kids hospitalized at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Last December, Uncle Dirk, as he's come to be known at Children's, graciously allowed me to shadow him during his visit. The idea was to shine a light on the brave kids, their families, the miracle workers at Children's by sharing a story that never had been told.
Uncle Dirk.
Brad Townsend/The Dallas Morning News
Dirk Nowitzki poses with patient Lizzy Hock, 4, and her mother Angela, after giving Lizzy an Elsa doll for Christmas.
Children's Medical Center Dallas
Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki delivers presents to children hospitalized at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Children's Medical Center Dallas
Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki delivers presents to children hospitalized at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Children's Medical Center Dallas
Dallas Mavericks player Dirk Nowitzki delivers presents to children hospitalized at Children's Medical Center Dallas.
Brad Townsend/The Dallas Morning News
Dirk Nowitzki holds 8-month-old patient Ryan at Children's Medical Center.
Brad Townsend/The Dallas Morning News
Dirk Nowitzki poses with Children's Medical Center patient John after giving him a set of Beats headphones for Christmas. To see more photos of Dirk visiting Children's Medical Center, visit our partners at The Dallas Morning News.
I knew my tagging along was a one-time thing, though. Because if we know one thing about Dirk Nowitzki beyond his greatness as a basketball player, it's that he prefers his numerous off-the-court deeds to remain private.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players Charles Tapper, left, and Kavon Frazier, right, visit with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Several members of the Dallas Cowboys football team and cheerleaders stopped by Children's Medical Center in Dallas Monday to visit with hospitalized children.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players and cheerleaders pose for a photo after visiting with hospitalized children at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten visits with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee visits with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players Charles Tapper, left, and Kavon Frazier, right, visit with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players and cheerleaders visit with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Sean Lee visits with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players and cheerleaders visit with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players Maliek Collins, left, and Joe Vellano, right, visit with a child at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
Children's Health
Dallas Cowboys players pose for a photo after visiting with hospitalized children at Children's Medical Center in Dallas. L-R: Kavon Frazier, Maliek Collins, Charles Tapper, Joe Vellano and Byron Bell.
Children's Health
Kavon Frazier at Children's Medical Center in Dallas.
