CEDAR FALLS --- Mike and Marsha Fisher dared not tell their son, Robert, about the visitors Friday before the morning came. They knew he wouldn't be able to sleep.

Robert Fisher, 33, lives with his parents, dealing with cerebral palsy in the most upbeat manner imaginable. This year he also has found a bit of celebrity, becoming a regular caller to Paul Finebaum's national sports talk show on Sirius XM Radio.

Friday, Finebaum, based in Birmingham, Ala., made his way north in a private plane owned by an orthopedic surgeon and frequent guest, Dr. Larry Lemak. Alongside, were Finebaum's lawyer, his call screener and Tammy Hethcox, perhaps the show's most recognized and controversial caller.

Shortly before 10 a.m. Fisher's virtual world became reality.

Finebaum's show, while national, draws heavily on Southern college football. Fisher is a University of Alabama Crimson Tide fan, and Hethcox cheers fanatically for Alabama's hated rival, Auburn.

On Friday, Fisher wore an Alabama jersey to greet his company topped with an Alabama hat. However, he wanted to show his true loyalties and placed a Hawkeye cap on top.

As Finebaum entered, Fisher greeted each guest with a hug.

Fisher began listening to Finebaum's show every day after getting XM radio about a year ago. He began calling the show and sharing his opinions. He now watches the show streaming on a computer in his room.

He takes his calls as seriously as his football. Before each call to the Finebaum show, Fisher takes a little time to practice what he will say.

While a couple of hateful callers took issue with Finebaum putting Fisher on the air, the vast majority of listeners embraced him.

"Everybody loves the guy on the show. He's known from coast to coast," Finebaum said.

Fisher has received packages from all over the country from other listeners, and a coach from Eastern Kentucky University sent a hat. Others sent inspiring books and wrote letters. Some suggest Fisher seems to grow confident and articulate the more he goes on the show.

One listener, an 83-year-old man, wrote a poem and sent it to Fisher. He finished by encouraging Fisher to keep calling the show because everyone enjoys listening.

Fisher considers himself a sports nut, and the radio show is a perfect outlet.

"Football, baseball, any kind of sport I like," he said. "Sometimes I will watch soccer and rugby, but I don't care for them."

Fisher and Hethcox spoke on the phone previously, and she had sent letters and gifts. The two have developed a sort of long-distance friendship, and she chastised Fisher as soon as she walked in the door and saw him in Alabama gear.

"I can't believe you have that shirt on knowing I was coming," Hethcox exclaimed in her thick southern drawl.

Hethcox brought along her own goods, putting an Auburn cap and football jersey on Fisher, leading to a good-natured spat between the Tiger and Tide fans in the room.

"He's been asking me on the telephone to visit. I said that's too far for a country girl to come," Hethcox grinned.

Finebaum said the show regulars build their own community.

"It's almost like Facebook on the radio. They get to know each other and communicate," he said.

Alex Bell, a producer on the show who often talks to Fisher while screening phone calls, said Fisher has a sharp mind and is easy to like.

"He's just got a great outlook," Bell said.

After the visit in the Fisher home, Finebaum and company took Fisher to lunch at LJ's Neighborhood Bar and Grill. They flew back to Alabama in time for the radio show, which runs from 2 to 6 p.m.

"This is the greatest thing that could ever happen to him," Fisher's mother, Marsha, said, beaming as he chatted up the visitors.