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Future Healer participant to be honored at this year's Citrus Bowl

Officials from UK and the Citrus Bowl were inspired by Malakai Roberts' resiliency and bravery after he was blinded in a shooting last year.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Citrus Bowl honored a 6-year-old Lexington native during the half-time show.

Malakai Roberts was blinded in a shooting last year.

His mother Cary Roberts said the bullet went through his head and out the other side, striking her as well. Now he uses a cane to get around.

"He is just so happy. Like if he wants to do something he does it, there's never an excuse like 'oh I can't see' or 'oh that won't be fun because I can't see' - there's never none of that, he just does what he wants and lives like a regular kid, it's awesome," Cary said.

Roberts and his family traveled to Orlando for the game.

When officials from the University of Kentucky and the Citrus Bowl heard his story, they were so inspired by his resiliency and bravery that they picked him to be an honorary guest.

This year's game will see UK's Wildcats go up against the Iowa Hawkeyes.

You can catch the Citrus Bowl and all of the excitement leading up to game day here on WHAS11 News on New Year's Day.

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