Austin Conway, a former wide receiver for the University of Wyoming Cowboys from 2016-2019, recently traveled to Vermont to surprise his biggest fan, 17-year-old Henry Farrell. The friendship between Conway and the Farrell family has evolved into a close family-like friendship over the years, culminating in Conway’s surprise appearance at Henry's football game last weekend.
Conway, known for his high energy and success as a punt returner and wide receiver, caught the eyes of Wyoming fans near and far throughout his career. He regularly caught touchdown passes from quarterback Josh Allen, further pushing him into the spotlight in 2017. The link to the Farrells started when Conway met Henry and his father, Shawn, in Laramie during the spring of 2018. Shawn, an alumnus of the University of Wyoming, wanted to show his son around the UW campus. "Shawn had reached out to me over Twitter one evening. He was showing Henry where he went to college. I asked if they were still in town, and if so, I could show them the football facility," Conway recalled. That first meeting included a behind-the-scenes tour of Wyoming's football facilities, sparking a relationship that would last for years. Shawn said Austin spent nearly three hours touring the facility and interacting with the Farrell family.
The friendship with Shawn and Henry grew stronger with each trip from Vermont to Wyoming for UW football games. "Shawn would come to a couple of games each year, and when I was done with school and moved south, we’d meet up in Denver. We made it a tradition to catch up when he was in town," Conway shared. The gesture of Conway opening his world to Henry was a natural extension of his character. "I live by the idea that family takes care of family, and Shawn and Henry became part of my family," he added. Austin gave Henry one of his football jerseys, lighting up Henry’s face.
Several years ago, the Farrells were in Colorado, so they decided to attend a basketball game at Conway’s old high school. Henry sported Conway’s Wyoming jersey at the game in tribute to his favorite college player. "People were texting me, saying there’s a kid here with your jersey on," Conway recounted. Then people began sending him pictures… "It was Henry! A few years later, I saw him again, and he had grown into this six-foot-tall kid. I promised I’d come to one of his games, and I kept that promise."
Earlier this year, Conway coordinated with Shawn to surprise Henry during his senior football season. The initial plan was for Conway to show up on the field for Henry’s senior night; however, Conway was surprised by an invitation to be inducted into his alumnus Overland High School's Athletic Hall of Fame this weekend. A quick change of plans moved the surprise meeting to Friday, October 11th. "Shawn took Henry to dinner and told me to show up without Henry knowing. Henry didn’t notice me when I walked in at first, but then we made eye contact. He looked at his dad, then back at me, and he was like, ‘…What are you doing here?’" Conway recalled with a laugh. The two embraced, and Conway said, "I promised I’d come to one of your games." Shawn Ferrell says with a laugh… “Initially, Henry didn’t want to go out to eat, so I had to bribe him with his favorite food…Chinese food,”. Henry chimed in: It was the biggest surprise of my life; I was so happy!"
Conway revealed another surprise when he showed up to Henry’s football game the next day... "Henry showed up to my high school with my jersey, so I got to show up to his high school wearing his. It was all full circle," Conway said proudly. "While I was warming up, I looked over and saw Austin wearing my #10 jersey. I immediately thought of the time I wore his Wyoming jersey to a game at his high school," Henry recounted.
Conway’s trip from Colorado to Vermont to surprise one of his biggest fans wasn’t the first time he had gone out of his way to support young fans. While attending the University of Wyoming, he regularly attended games for kids he met through camps and outreach events. For Conway, giving back is essential. "I remember what it felt like for people to show up to my games. It’s more than just watching the Cowboys — it’s about the personal connection," Conway said.
Austin Conway concluded the interview by saying, "You never do anything looking for something in return. Family takes care of family. It was the least I could do after everything they did for me."
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