INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Tyler Trent, a former Purdue University student and college football super fan 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.
The Purdue athletic department offered condolences to Trent's family and friends in a statement posted on its website.
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."
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