Marine surprises son in heartwarming scene at Rams-Dolphins game

There likely wasn’t a dry eye in the house. 

The Rams gave one young fan a Veterans Day to remember with a surprise return of his father, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Justin Vega, during halftime of their Monday night game against the Dolphins. 

In a heartwarming scene that elicited a roar throughout SoFi Stadium, Cpt. Vega walked out of the tunnel and toward his shocked son Leo in a heartwarming moment. 

The young Rams fan slowly walked toward his father, a helicopter pilot for the Marines, and fell into Vega’s arms as the Marine Corps captain lifted up his son and gave him a big hug. 

“I can’t look at that stuff, it will make me cry,” ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt said on air as the network showed a clip of the moment. “Man, that’s the best! Wow, that’s beautiful.” 

The moment captured the hearts of not only those at the stadium, but many people on social media who had to fight back the tears. 

“Got me crying on a Monday,” one person posted. 

“Incredible moment !! Love to see that,” another person chimed in. 

“Marine Corps birthday on Sunday. Surprising his family on Veterans Day. Capt Vega is having a helluva week,” a third person commented. 

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford and his wife Kelly hosted 20 Navy Seals and their guests on Monday night as well, according to a post by the Rams Community X account. 

The Rams had trailed going into halftime as the Dolphins took a 10-6 lead into the locker room. Miami ended up pulling out a 23-15 victory.

The Dolphins scored the opening touchdown on the first drive of the game which culminated with a Malik Washington touchdown. 

Miami added to its lead with a field goal early in the second quarter and the Rams responded with a pair of field goals of their own to shrink the deficit.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill for a third-quarter touch to put Miami in control.