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#FeelGoodFriday: Dirk Nowitzki helps longtime fan celebrate 100th birthday

Aaron Hendel

For all but a select few sports fans, much of the news surrounding teams and players is far from good. Losses, injuries, playoff eliminations, suspensions, last-place fantasy football punishments, you name it.

So, we decided to put together something that can bring a smile to every sports fan’s face: Yahoo Sports’ #FeelGoodFriday Sports News!

Dirk helps longtime Mavs fan celebrate her 100th birthday

Dirk Nowitzki made his 2018-19 debut last night, tipping off his 21st year with the Mavericks and setting an NBA record for most seasons with one team.

His appearance was a perfect birthday present for one longtime Mavs fan named Ella who has watched her favorite player every step of the way. The two met a few days before the game on her 100th birthday.

“I miss you out there on that court,” she told Nowitzki, in reference to the ankle injury that had kept him out the first 26 games of the year. They chatted about his recovery, and reminisced about Dallas’ 2011 NBA Championship.

Here’s to Ella watching Luka Dončić’s 21st season with the Mavs in 2038!

“Shaq-A-Claus” surprises students with gifted backpacks

Turns out Christmas Eve is only the reindeers’ second most strenuous night of the year.

That’s a piece of cake compared to carrying all 300-plus pounds of Shaquille O’Neal in his sleigh.

Shaq made a surprise visit to two Georgia schools, all decked out in a Christmas cap. He handed out backpacks and held an impromptu pep rally.

Shaq-A-Claus has made similar scheduled stops the last few years, but apparently this one wasn’t part of the plan. Santa just didn’t feel like waiting any longer for milk and cookies.

You have to admit it though, the Big Diesel looks pretty good in red.

His little helper was right on cue, too. That would be the 6-foot 10-inch Kevin Love, who donned a full elf suit to help put smiles on children’s faces at the Cleveland Clinic hospital.

Harry Giles treats local fathers to pedicures and dinner

Gotta give credit where credit is due, this was an outside-the-box holiday present.

2017 1st-round pick Harry Giles along with Kings’ staff treated dads from the Center for Fathers & Families in Sacramento to pedicures as well as dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings in what sounds like a pretty darn good and manly date night.

Now, hear me out. What if Giles’ excursion was combined into one business? A sports bar salon filled with beer and nail polish. Who wouldn’t like at least one part of that?

Students at LeBron’s I Promise School treated to Polar Express ride

For one final present under your tree before the weekend, check out the awesome experience Cleveland students at LeBron James’ I Promise School had to celebrate the holidays: