TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Thanks to a college football player’s small gesture of kindness, it could be a long time before a mother will have to worry again about her autistic son eating lunch alone.

Tears streamed down the face of Leah Paske when she saw the photo of Florida State University wide receiver Travis Rudolph sharing a cafeteria table with her sixth-grader. Then she shared her gratitude on Facebook, and the story took off.

By Wednesday, Bo Paske had no shortage of lunch companions. Rudolph was among several FSU players visiting Montford Middle School in Tallahassee on Tuesday when he saw Bo sitting alone in the cafeteria. He grabbed a slice of pizza and asked if he could join him.

The child said, “Sure, why not,” Rudolph recalled after practice that day.

“We just had a great conversation. He started off, telling me his name was Bo, telling me how much he loves Florida State. We went from there,” said the West Palm Beach, Florida, native, now beginning his junior season.

“I just wanted to go say hi to the kid, because I saw him eating alone. I didn’t even know anybody took a photo of it,” Rudolph explained in an email. “I’m glad it can bring awareness to helping others.”