AN NFL star flew a family out to Arizona last month after making a promise to a St Helens schoolboy during lockdown.

Sick of being inside at the start of the pandemic, Archie Plummer, from Eccleston, spent four weeks building the stadium of his favourite NFL team, Houston Texans, out of Lego blocks.

Going viral on social media, Archie's design reached his favourite player JJ Watt, who promised he would fly him out to experience a game in the stadium once fans were allowed back in the stands.

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St Helens Star: Archie with his Lego Houston Texans stadiumArchie with his Lego Houston Texans stadium (Image: Greg Plummer)

Ecstatic with the response, Archie and the family eventually accepted that the gesture was unlikely to happen as covid caused lengthy delays and Watt signed for a new team, the Arizona Cardinals.

However, known for his good relationship with fans, Watt told Archie he "hadn't forgotten about him" and paid for the family of four to come and watch their game against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, November 6.

Not only did Watt pay for their flights, hotel, and tickets, he also gifted the family with signed memorabilia, tickets for a stadium tour, and came to speak to them after his warm-up. 

Flying out for Archie's 11th birthday, his dad Greg said the weekend was an "unbelievable life experience" that the family will never forget.

Greg said: "It's been an unbelievable experience to be honest, and you don't think these sorts of things will happen to you.

"I got Archie into the NFL and he loves playing it on his XBOX Madden game, so just to get a response from his hero was amazing.

"But the fact that JJ made sure he kept his promise was amazing, and everyone was so hospitable to us."

St Helens Star: JJ Watt with a Thatto Heath rugby shirtJJ Watt with a Thatto Heath rugby shirt (Image: Greg Plummer)

Although Arizona were beaten by Seattle 31-21 in the NFC West game, Greg said his son was "mesmerised" during the State Farm stadium game and blown away that he got the chance to speak to his hero.

In addition to getting to chat with the defensive end player, Archie also threw some passes with Watt and was presented with a signed match ball.

Archie, an Eccleston Mere primary school pupil, then repaid the favour and gifted Watt with a Thatto Heath Rugby League shirt with his name on the back.

St Helens Star: Archie's signed Arizona shirt from JJ WattArchie's signed Arizona shirt from JJ Watt (Image: Greg Plummer)

Archie said: "It was an amazing experience at the game, and it was more than I expected especially with all the signed merchandise I received.

"Speaking to JJ was unbelievable; it was a dream come true."

St Helens Star: JJ Watt also organised a stadium tour for the Plummer familyJJ Watt also organised a stadium tour for the Plummer family (Image: Greg Plummer)