When former University of Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan learned that one of his biggest (and littlest) fans, 5-year-old Joshua Miyazawa,was on his way to Washington, D.C. to play an exhibition tee-ball game on the White House lawn, his reaction was appropriate for the occasion:

He opened his heart.

Joshua, who underwent open-heart surgery in May to patch a hole in his atrial wall, zeroed in on the star QB during last season's home games against Boise State and Washington. In an interview with The Advertiser last month, Joshua called Brennan his favorite athlete.

Brennan, who is in D.C. preparing for his first season with the Washington Redskins, became a fan of Miyazawa after hearing about the young athlete's quick rebound from surgery and his selection to represent Hawai'i at the prestigious White House game.

And so, just hours after signing a four-year, $1.8 million rookie contract with the Redskins, Brennan and girlfriend Shakti Stream celebrated with a lunchtime meeting with Joshua and his family at the historic Old Ebbets Grill in downtown Washington.

"Colt is even nicer than we had imagined," said Joshua's father, Jeff. "He always came across as a humble guy, but watching him with Josh, he was like just one of the boys."

Far from the hordes of autograph-happy UH fans, virtually unnoticed amid the tourists and locals packing the D.C. landmark, Brennan and his new friend compared hospital stories (Brennan also had surgery in May to repair an injured hip), shared crab cocktail and clam chowder, and discoursed on a broad range of pigskin-related subjects, from Brennan's bid to secure the No. 3 QB slot with the Redskins to Joshua's upcoming tackle football season.

The Miyazawas also joined Brennan in a champagne toast to his new contract.

"They're a fun family," Brennan said. "It was a great experience. It was a privilege for me to meet him. It was awesome to hear his story."

Though a bit shy at first, it didn't take Joshua long to warm up to his gridiron idol. By the time the two said their so-longs, three hours had flown by.

It's been a head-spinning trip eastward for the Miyazawas.

They arrived in D.C. on Saturday. The next day, they drove to Philadelphia to take in the Phillies-Diamondbacks game as guests of Philadelphia centerfielder Shane "the Flyin' Hawaiian" Victorino.

By sheer coincidence, Sunday was "Hula Night" at Citizens Bank Park. The giveaway? Shane Victorino bobbleheads.

The Miyazawa clan — Jeff, wife Joanie, Joshua and siblings Jonah and Joy — watched the game from behind home plate. Afterward, Victorino, who knew of the Miyazawas through mutual friends, ditched reporters to hop onto the dugout and take photos with the family.

Later, as the Miyazawas made their way through the parking lot, Joanie spotted a familiar figure in an aloha shirt: ESPN anchor and former KGMB sports director Neil Everett.

Howzit!

After a brief meeting, the family agreed to forward pictures from the White House game to Everett at ESPN for a possible story.

"This has been the greatest trip," Jeff said. "It's been blessing after blessing."

For Joshua, perhaps the biggest blessing of all was the chance to get to sit, eat and get to know UH Warrior No. 15.

"It was neat to see," Jeff said. "Colt was very engaging with Josh."

Almost lost in the rush of celebrity encounters is the fact that Josh still has a game to play and a leader of the free world to meet tomorrow.

"After meeting Shane and Colt, I think (Joshua) has kind of had his fill," Jeff said, laughing. "But, I'm sure Josh will be in awe when he meets the president, too."