Tyler Trent Named 2018 Disney Spirit Award Winner

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. - The 2018 Disney Spirit Award will be presented to Tyler Trent, the courageous former Purdue University student who has inspired a football team and thousands of fans nationwide with the courageous way he has faced his cancer diagnosis.

The award is presented annually by Disney Sports to college football's most inspirational player, coach, team or figure. Disney Sports vice president Faron Kelley will present the award at The Home Depot College Football Awards presented by Daltile, televised live on ESPN on Dec. 6 at the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

Trent, a 20-year-old native of Carmel, Indiana, was first diagnosed with bone cancer in 2015. He underwent nine months of grueling chemotherapy, sending his cancer into remission. But two years later, as he was set to enroll as a freshman at Purdue, the cancer returned. Despite having his pelvis surgically replaced, he still managed to start classes at Purdue on time - a testament to his unwavering spirit.

Guided by his strong faith and driven by family support, friends and a growing legion of fans, which include politicians, sports television personalities, national radio talk show hosts and professional athletes, Trent is living life on his own terms.

In September of 2017, when Michigan was coming to town to face Purdue, Trent - despite his condition - did what many football-crazed fans do before big games: he camped out on campus in hopes of being the first Purdue student in line to get tickets for the game.

Purdue head coach Jeff Brohm noticed him in line and quickly struck up a conversation, which led to Trent later becoming a fixture within the football program and an honorary team captain for various games.

"I saw a guy dressed head to toe in Purdue garb," Brohm said. "I remember he had a big smile on his face. He didn't tell me his story. He didn't tell me what he was going through. He just had a positive attitude and brought a lot of life to the conversation."

Trent's inspirational story has been profiled by "USA Today," "Sports Illustrated," "Forbes," ESPN.com, ESPN College GameDay and the Big Ten Network. He also has been a guest on Scott Van Pelt's national radio show on ESPN.

While waging his own battle with cancer, Trent has found a way to give back to others. He partnered with ESPN and The V Foundation as a spokesman to help raise money for cancer treatments and recently started an organization - Team with a Cause - that recruits kids for service projects to help families affected by cancer (mowing lawns, raking leaves, shoveling snow, etc.).

Kelley said Trent's amazing story - one of courage, community and giving back to others - is what the Disney Spirit Award is all about.

"Tyler's spirit is amazing," Kelley said. "His tenacity and commitment to making life better for others dealing with similar circumstances all while waging his own personal battle with cancer should be an inspiration to us all. That's why we salute Tyler as the 2018 recipient of the Disney Spirit Award."

The Home Depot College Football Awards show will air at 7 p.m. ET and will be hosted by ESPN's Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Maria Taylor and Tom Rinaldi.