Purdue superfan Tyler Trent dies

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WISH) – He’d been described as a determined, willful child who has always had trouble saying “no.” 

Tyler Trent, the Purdue University superfan who continued to attend sporting events and classes as he battled cancer, died Tuesday, according to a tweet from the Purdue Cancer Center. He was 20.

• RELATED: Purdue superfan Tyler Trent leaves behind legacy at Riley hospital

Using his Twitter handle, the tweet from the cancer center at 9:04 p.m. said, “It’s with the deepest sorrow that we have to say goodbye to @theTylerTrent. We have all become #TylerStrong. To his family, words can’t express how sorry we are that he has passed. His life May have been short, but his legacy with be forever.”

He received nationwide attention in his battle against cancer. Trent was first diagnosed with cancer when he was 15. He died while suffering from a rare bone cancer.

He was known for leading football fans in loud chants of “Cancer sucks.” 

In 2017, Trent camped with another student to get good seats to a Purdue-Michigan football game, just hours after chemotherapy.

In the 2018 football season, he motivated the Purdue team to upset the Ohio State Buckeyes on national television.

His popularity took his to a wide variety of sports events as news of his bravery inspired many. 

That popularity lead to the creation of a bobblehead earlier this year. It features Tyler in a black and gold Purdue blazer and a “Cancer Sucks” T-shirt, an image approved by Trent in “all capital letters.” The Bottlehead Hall of Fame and Museum has been donating $5 from each bobblehead sold to the V Foundation for Cancer Research and the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment, charities chosen by Trent himself.

More recently, “The Upset,” his autobiography was made available for preorder. A portion of the proceeds were to go toward Trent’s effort to raise $1 million for cancer research.

• National Bobblehead Hall of Fame & Museum: Tyler Trent Bobblehead
• The Upset: Life, Sports, Death, and the Legacy in Between by Tyler Trent

Trent earned an associate degree from Purdue in computer information technology.

EVENTS

Purdue University and a Carmel church have scheduled events to honor Trent’s life.

College Park Church, 2606 W. 96th St., will have a funeral service at 6 p.m. Tuesday. There will be no visitation prior to the funeral, but funeral guests will be welcomed to a reception following the service. A guest book also will be available in the church’s atrium. The funeral will be livestreamed.

Purdue University announced Wednesday that a candlelight memorial will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday outside Hovde Hall to honor Trent’s life, the lives of all people battling cancer and the researchers seeking a cure. The event had initially been scheduled for Tuesday night.

REACTION

Drew Brees on the passing of @BoilerFootball‘s Tyler Trent #TylerStrong pic.twitter.com/ZJfnlyona2— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) January 2, 2019

• Purdue President Mitch Daniels tweeted: “Heaven has another great Boilermaker tonight. Thank you, Tyler, for all you taught us and the inspiration you left us.”
• The Indianapolis Colts tweeted: “We’ll forever be inspired by you, @theTylerTrent. Rest in Peace. #TylerStrong.”
• The Indiana Hoosiers Twitter account: “An inspiration to us all. A life well-lived. #TylerStrong”
• Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb on Twitter: “@theTyler Trent was among the biggest, strongest & wisest people you could ever meet. He reminded us what being good is all about. I’m convinced Tyler was touched by our Lord & guided home every step of the way. Janet & I send our love to the Trent family & remain here for them.”
• Indiana University football coach Tom Allen: “On behalf of @IndianaFootball, our thoughts and prayers are with Tyler Trent’s family. Tyler showed all of us the true essence of courage and fight.”
• Purdue men’s basketball coach Matt Painter: RIP @theTylerTrent. Your fight, determination and inspiration to so many will not be forgotten. Your impact will continue for many years.”
• Riley Children’s Foundation tweeted: “Thank you so much for your drive, compassion, intelligence and your inspiring message. We are, and will forever be, #TylerStrong.”
• College sports commentator Dick Vitale: “Yes Trent Tyler was such an inspiration/ he wanted so badly to help other young ppl / May he RIP U can join many by donating to the TRENT TYLER FUND as @TheVFoundation has a grant in his name.”
• Former Indianapolis Colts player Pat McAfee: “Rest easy @theTylerTrent… You made the world a better place. You inspired millions. And we were all very lucky to be in your presence… Cheers to a life that made a real difference”
• Purdue Alumni on Twitter: “Thank you, @theTylerTrent for touching our hearts for changing our lives for uniting our Purdue community. If you would like to help #HammerDownCancer, the @PUCancerCenter has set up the TylerTrent Cancer Research Endowment: http://www.giving.purdue.edu/tylerstrong.”
• The Indiana Pacers: “We offer our sincere condolences to the family of @theTylerTrent. The courage in which he lived his life was an inspiration to all of us. His legacy will live on.”

Rest easy, Tyler. You will never be forgotten.

Following the Music City Bowl last Friday, I asked @BoilerFootball HC Jeff Brohm about the impact Tyler Trent had on his football team @WISH_TV: pic.twitter.com/WXxTgRTLav— Charlie Clifford (@cliffWISH8) January 2, 2019