If you happened to watch Purdue‘s big win over Ohio State this past Saturday night on ESPN, there is a pretty good chance that you teared up at least once during the game.
http://gty.im/1052771676
During that game, the Boilermakers honored Tyler Trent, a Purdue student, and mega-fan who is currently in a very tough battle with bone cancer.
Tyler’s story was brought to everyone’s attention when ESPN’s College GameDay aired a segment hosted by Tom Rinaldi. During that segment, it was very clear that Tyler has a deep love for Purdue and that Purdue has a deep love for Tyler.
If you missed the segment, grab a box of Kleenex and check it out.
Purdue student and super fan Tyler Trent fought hard to become a Boilermaker.
Now, as he battles bone cancer, his Purdue football family is fighting for him.
(📍 @exxonmobil) pic.twitter.com/fYnfEXX0dx
— ESPN (@espn) October 20, 2018
It is a tradition at Purdue that after each kickoff, Boilermakers fans yell, “Ooohhhh I-U Sucks!” But against the Buckeyes, to honor Tyler, they instead yelled, “Ooohhh Cancer Sucks!!!”
On Saturday, the Boilermakers will be in East Lansing to take on Michigan State and Spartans fans have decided that they too will honor Tyler Trent.
The Spartans tradition on kickoffs is to yell, “Go State!” on kickoffs, but thanks to a request started by Matt Sheehan of “The Only Colors,” that will change for Saturday’s game against Purdue.
“Spartans, lets stand with Tyler and mirror what Purdue did last weekend on kickoffs this Saturday.
Instead of the usual “ohhhhhhhhOH…GO STATE” we will do “ohhhhOH…CANCER SUCKS,” loud enough for Tyler to hear back home.
Spread it along, tell your seat mates and let’s make Tyler and all brave fighters feel our support for them.”
Sheehan’s request not only spread through Spartan Nation, but it was even noticed by Tyler Trent and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt, who had Tyler on SportsCenter on Wednesday night.
“Van Pelt: “Did you hear what they’re gonna do Saturday, the game at Michigan State? Normally, (they) yell ‘Go Spartans’ on the kickoff and instead of that they’re gonna yell, ‘Cancer sucks’ for you. You’re turning your rival schools into fans of the Boilermakers, man. This is all on you. It never ends, does it’?
Trent: “It’s not ending. It’s crazy. And anything in the name of cancer research is OK with me. And so when I woke up this morning and saw that, it definitely brought a lot of joy and encouragement to me.”
Huge props to Matt Sheehan for getting this rolling and huge props to Spartan Nation for jumping on board to support this amazing young man,
But more importantly, our thoughts and prayers go out to Tyler as he continues his battle with cancer.
