The Most Inspirational Football Fan in America Has Died
Tyler Trent, a former Purdue University student and college football superfan who inspired many with his battle against cancer, died Tuesday. He was 20 years old.
His family confirmed the death to The Indianapolis Star.
Trent wanted to be a sportswriter and was determined to attend Purdue despite suffering three bouts with a rare bone cancer, first diagnosed at age 15. He entered Purdue in the fall of 2017 while undergoing chemotherapy. He camped out with another student to get good seats to a Purdue-Michigan football game, just hours after chemotherapy.
He gained national attention in 2018 by becoming the adopted captain of the Boilermakers football team. He was in a wheelchair for Purdue’s upset win over Ohio State, which was ranked No. 2 in the nation at the time.
The legacy that Tyler has left with us will be remembered forever. #TylerStrong ?? pic.twitter.com/neGB0VfGgk
— Purdue Football (@BoilerFootball) January 2, 2019
Trent became a social media star with his positive attitude and determination to live every day to the fullest despite the illness.
“Though I am in hospice care and have to wake up every morning knowing that the day might be my last, I still have a choice to make: to make that day the best it can be,” Trent wrote in a guest column for the newspaper in early December.
He credited his Christian faith with carrying him through his cancer battle.
At the end of the day. All glory goes to God, without him there is no way I was going to make the game yesterday. From having to have emergency surgery at the beginning of the week to throwing up all day Friday. – 1st Thes. 5:18-20 all day long! https://t.co/kMHZldkQFZ
— Tyler Trent ? (@theTylerTrent) October 21, 2018
Trent earned an associate degree from Purdue in computer information technology.
The Purdue athletic department offered condolences to Trent’s family and friends in a statement posted on its website.
“While there are no words to ease the hurt at times like this, we hope some comfort can be found in knowing what an inspiration Tyler is to our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans,” the statement said. “The entire Purdue Athletics family has been touched by his courageous battle, positive spirit and unwavering faith. Tyler was the embodiment of a true Boilermaker who will live on in each of us. We will forever be #TylerStrong.”
We had the honor of interviewing Tyler Trent on November 21 and his courage in battling cancer and his love for Jesus inspired us immensely. We are sad to hear about his death but grateful to know he is in the arms of the Savior. pic.twitter.com/mx3qntO9OA
— Sports Spectrum (@Sports_Spectrum) January 2, 2019
Last year, Purdue created a scholarship, the Tyler Trent Courage and Resilience Award, for an undergraduate who has encountered adversity while pursuing a college degree.
The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment also was set up to support cancer research at Purdue and received more than $100,000 in donations.
In December, Trent won Disney’s Wide World of Sports Spirit Award, given annually to college football’s most inspirational individual or team.
“Tyler Trent was among the biggest, strongest and wisest people you could ever meet,” said Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb. “He reminded us what being good is all about.”
The Western Journal has reviewed this Associated Press story and may have altered it prior to publication to ensure that it meets our editorial standards.
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