“After receiving 90 stitches (give or take) from a skilled plastic surgeon, he’s finally resting at home,” wrote Nikki Walker. “We love our brave boy and want all the other superheroes to know about this latest hero who joined their ranks.”
The Captain America actor saw the story and responded.
“Pal, you’re a hero, what you did was so brave, so selfless — your sister is so lucky to have you as a big brother. Your parents must be so proud of you,” Evans said in a video message that the family shared Wednesday. “Keep being the man you are, we need people like you. Hang in there, I know recovery might be tough, but based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think there’s much that can slow you down.”
Evans told the boy to be on the lookout, because he was sending an authentic Captain America shield to him, from one hero to another.
Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland also sent a message to the young boy within a week of Evans’ post.
Walker’s aunt shared a video on her Instagram of the Iron Man star calling Bridger a “rockstar” and saying he could “do one better” on his friend Cap sending a shield his way. Downey Jr. then promised he has “something special” to give the boy on his next birthday, joking that his promise “beats a shield.”
Holland called Bridger to tell him he’d heard about his story, calling him “brave” and letting him know his sister is “so lucky to have someone like you.”
After learning that Spider-Man: Homecoming was Bridger’s preferred film of the two out so far, Holland let the young hero know he could visit the third film’s set and see the Spider-Man suit up close.
Friday July 17, 5:57 p.m. Updated to include Robert Downey Jr. and Tom Holland’s messages.
