Tyler Trent: What you should know about the Purdue football superfan and cancer fighter

Already famous at Purdue and in Central Indiana, Tyler Trent captured the attention of Vice President Mike Pence in October and went international on Oct. 20. 

That's when he appeared at the Purdue-Ohio State game after predicting the Boilermakers' stunning victory over the No. 2 Buckeyes, at a game in which a longtime anti-IU chant was changed to an anti-cancer chant.

If you haven't yet heard the inspirational story of Tyler Trent, who died at age 20 on New Year's day of the aggressive bone cancer he had battled for years, here’s what you need to know about the Purdue student from Carmel, Indiana.

Trent discovered he had terminal bone cancer from broken arm

Trent learned he had bone cancer in high school, when his arm snapped as he played ultimate Frisbee. In 2014, his right arm was replaced from elbow to shoulder and replaced with titanium. Three years later, cancer was found in his pelvis, and his right hip was replaced.

He used his cancer diagnosis to help others

He formed an organization, Teens With a Cause, that recruits kids to do service projects for families affected by cancer – things like mowing the lawn, raking leaves, shoveling snow.

Doyel: This was not your night Ohio State. It belonged to Tyler Trent

Winning:Purdue soaks in emotional victory over Ohio State

He donated his tumor to Riley Hospital 

Cancer researchers at Riley Hospital for Children took cells from Trent's tumor because it has been so aggressive and relentless. They named the sample TT-2, for “T-squared,” which was sort of his nickname. He was hopeful that his tumor would eventually lead to a breakthrough against bone cancer.

He was a Purdue football superfan

Trent and a friend from Carmel first captured attention as Purdue superfans in September 2017, when they camped out to be first in line for the Purdue-Michigan football game. Purdue fans camp out for basketball – not football, Lafayette Courier and Journal columnist Mike Carmin noted. Trent and friend Josh Seals, also of Carmel, were in the only tent there.

He proved cancer sucks more than IU

On Oct. 20, in honor of Trent, Purdue fans dropped their “IU sucks” chant, which is belted out during every game no matter whom Purdue is playing. On that day, the crowd chanted “Cancer sucks” instead. 

He called Purdue's win over Ohio State (with a sense of humor)

Trent had confidently predicted a Boilermaker victory over Ohio State. He later tweeted: “For those wondering – I have no idea what the winning Powerball numbers are.”

He was amazingly positive in his battle with cancer 

Trent shared his philosophy on life and cancer with the Purdue Exponent: “Just realizing that whatever happens because of this, it’s going to come out for good, whether I see that now or not.”

Purdue winning football games helped, too. He told the Courier Journal’s Carmin: "As long as they're winning, there's extra joy in that.”

Inspired to help? Here's how:

The Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment

Here's how you can keep Trent's dream of making a difference live on:

What: The endowment will fund cancer research at the Purdue University Center for Cancer Research. The Walther Cancer Foundation will match every gift donated to the endowment, dollar for dollar.

Focus: The research will investigate cancers where they begin – at the cellular level – to examine the cause of, and cure for, cancer.

Goal: Doctors and scientists throughout the world will use the center's discoveries to develop methods, medicines, and medical devices to save and enhance patient lives.

Riley Children’s Foundation

The Riley Children’s Foundation has created the Tyler Trent Cancer Research Endowment to support the Precision Genomics program at Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health. Trent was treated at Riley Hospital for Children and donated his tumor for research. Funds will cover genetic testing for families and aid in research to continue to search for a cure.

Tyler Trent's autobiography 'The Upset'

Trent's book, "The Upset: Life, Sports, Death, and the Legacy in Between" was written with John Driver and has a foreword by ESPN's Scott Van Pelt. The book is available for pre-order at tylertrentbook.com. A portion of every purchase will be donated to cancer research in Trent’s name. Every pre-ordered book will include a limited edition bookmark with an autograph and special message from Trent. 

His goal was to raise $1 million. 

Sources: Lafayette Journal and Courier columnist Mike Carmin; IndyStar columnist Gregg Doyel; Purdue Exponent