GREENSBORO, NC - Twin boys sit on a couch at a Greensboro Home. In front of a large TV, a picture of their father sits, framed alongside tickets for the November 2nd Carolina Panthers game. Malik and Mikehi were supposed to go to the game with their father, Michael.
Ten days earlier, Greensboro Police found Michael, shot in the back in a parking lot on North Raleigh Street. The 34-year-old died at the hospital.
Malik Douglas opening care package from Carolina Panthers
"Some people knocked on the door. I was like, what’s wrong with my daddy? They said he passed. I said I can’t believe in this stuff. And then, I called his phone but he didn’t answer, so I was like this junk is true," said Malik.
The next day- Malik sat in a Guilford County classroom, heart shredded with pain. Michael taught his sons an education would take them wherever they wanted to go. But, one place Malik wanted to go is now a place he'll never be able to go with his father; a Panther's home game.
“We always watched the game together. Every time the Carolina Panthers be on, he’d be like Malik we going to the game on Monday. This was the day we was gonna really go, but it didn’t happen.”
Malik told his Smith High School social worker about his dad's promise. His social worker, Terri Sims, reached out the Panthers. The team immediately sent Malique a care package complete with autographed photos, personal notes from Cam Newton and crew, t-shirts.
Sims
videoed Malik opening the package, and sent it into the land of social media.
“This is the greatest quarterback ever!” says Malique, holding an autographed picture of Newton. "Luke Kuechly!" He said, holding a second autographed picture of the Panther's linebacker. "He is the greatest defensive player of all time. I don't care what anyone say. He was my dad's favorite defensive player."
The care package also came with a letter from Coach Ron Rivera, telling the young fan to keep pounding.
Malik and his brother said when they do finally get to watch a Panther's game - their father will be right beside them.
No suspect has been named in Michael's murder.