14-Year-Old Colin Campbell Returns to Football After 20-Month Leukemia Battle
Fourteen-year-old Colin Campbell played his first high school football game after a 20-month fight with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Colin Campbell, a 14-year-old freshman at Wadsworth, returned to the football field on Aug. 20, playing in a 26-14 defeat to Green after a 20-month fight against acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Diagnosed on Dec. 17, 2024, he endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy delivered through a heart-linked port and is currently in maintenance treatment, with doctors predicting full remission by May 16, 2027. His parents, Kelly and Tim Campbell—who also serves as the school’s one outlet director—expressed pride, while coaches Justin Todd and Chris Beery highlighted his grit and five-tackle performance despite only 17 days back.
The opposing team honored him with a “We stand with Colin” banner and fans wore “Colin’s Crew” shirts; both teams knelt together after the game, underscoring community support. Cameras captured the moment, and Campbell said he focused on blocking the attention to stay calm. He looks forward to ringing a bell when officially declared cancer-free.
Why it matters
The story illustrates a teen's resilience through serious illness and the supportive role of school sports communities.
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