Bryant Graeber didn't have many friends growing up. Middle school students aren't always so accepting of kids who are different.
And Graeber, born with a rare metabolic disorder that causes buildup of sugar in his organs, was different.
"People just kind of treated me differently because I have a big head, back brace and that kind of stuff," Graeber said.
But weeks after graduating from Myers Park High School in Charlotte, N.C., in 2003, Graeber started a job that changed his life _ and touched the lives of the hundreds of people he greets every day at the entrance to the Harris YMCA in Charlotte, N.C.
A huge sports fan, Graeber, 32, is often dressed in the gear of his favorite teams _ and says he's "crazy" about the Carolina Panthers.
Three years ago, the Y honored Bryant with a celebration after he greeted what officials estimated was his one millionth visitor. The majority of those people likely know Bryant by name.
"I had some friends, but not a lot," he said. "They didn't really treat me well. Now, ever since I've been at the Y, I feel like I have a lot more friends than I ever did growing up."
One of those friends, Steve Wilks, is the Carolina Panthers' new defensive coordinator _ although Graeber didn't know that at first.
