A young boy's video sharing the pain of being bullied went viral - and inspired thousands to send love
- Keaton Jones, a young boy from Tennessee, shared his experiences with bullying in a tearful video that went viral over the weekend.
- Celebrities in sports and Hollywood voiced their support for Jones on social media, with many like Fox News host Sean Hannity and President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump Jr., offering to help him and his family out.
- Jones thanked his new fans for the positive reaction to his story.
A video of a young boy describing the bullying he experiences in school went viral over the weekend, garnering hundreds of thousands of shares and statements of support from a mix of celebrities ranging from pop singer Katy Perry to President Donald Trump's son, Donald Trump, Jr.
Keaton Jones of Maynardville, Tennessee gave a tearful account of how other kids at his school verbally and physically torment him.
"People that are different don't need to be criticized about it," Keaton said while his mother recorded him. "It's not their fault. But if you are made fun of, just don't let it bother you. Stay strong I guess. It's hard. But it'll probably get better one day."
Keaton's mother, Kimberly Jones, recorded the video after picking him up from school because Keaton said he was too scared to go to lunch.
The reaction to the video was instantaneous - after Jones posted the video to Facebook on Friday, it was shared over 369,000 times by Sunday night, and seen by almost 20 million people. It also attracted the attention of celebrities across the sports, entertainment, and politics worlds.
UFC fighter Dana White was among those who voiced their support.
"This video is heartbreaking!!" White tweeted. "I want to bring Keaton to Vegas and hang out at UFC Headquarters."
White's suggestion was matched by Trump Jr., who offered to put Jones and his family up in a Trump property in Las Vegas.
"@danawhite, If he takes you up on your offer to see UFC Headquarters, I would be honored to host him and his family at our place if they need somewhere to stay," Trump wrote on Twitter.
Jarrett Guarantano, a University of Tennessee quarterback, actually met Jones and tweeted a picture of the pair.
"So I got the chance to spend the day with my new best bud Keaton," Guarantano wrote. "It was unbelievable to get to know him and realize that we have a lot in common. This dude is very special and has changed my life forever. Now I have the little brother I always wanted! God bless you my man."
White and Guarantano were joined by singer Katy Perry and actors Mark Hamill, Chris Evans, and Mark Ruffalo, who each tweeted encouraging words.
"Don't waste time wondering why a bully would be so mean," wrote Hamill, who plays Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise. "They're sad people who think hurting others will make them feel better because they really don't like themselves."
Millie Bobby Brown of "Stranger Things" fame said she admired Jones.
"I think your sooo cool Keaton! I wanna be your friend ( but srsly)," she tweeted.
In the world of news, Jones was met with praise from Fox News host Sean Hannity.
"If anyone knows Keaton and his parents, i will gladly fly them to NYC to be my guest & visit Fox News," Hannity wrote.
Sports writer Jamie O'Grady also voiced his support as well as his anger at the bullies who tormented Jones.
"This is Keaton Jones," he wrote. "He is amazing. I hope those who bullied him get what's coming to them. And soon."
In response to this huge outpouring of love, Jones thanked his new fans in a Facebook post on Monday.
"Thanks for all the support & making sure my Story was heard Worldwide..." Jones wrote "God works in mysterious ways... Im sure to See better days , Be aware of all Forms of Bullying ..."