Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Josh Hines-Allen is celebrating a huge milestone in his life - his 8-year-old son, Wesley, has completed leukemia treatments and is now in full remission.
Wesley was diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia in January at the age of seven. Allen and his wife, Kaitlyn, publicly shared their son's diagnosis in a heartfelt social media video posted in July.
On Sunday, the Jagaurs honored the 8-year-old by naming him as an honorary captain for the team's game against the Seattle Seahawks. He proudly accompanied his father and other Jaguars captains on the walk to midfield before kickoff, where he was recognized as the team's "Crucial Catch Honorary Captain."
Allen reflected on the special moment, and his son's pediatric cancer battle, in an emotional message posted to Instagram on Tuesday, Oct. 14
"Yesterday, Wesley stood with me at midfield as an honorary captain. At the beginning of the year, I didn’t know if we’d even get here," Allen wrote. "When they said leukemia, everything else went silent. The game, the stats, none of it mattered anymore. The only thing I cared about was my son."
Watching his son fight leukemia changed him as a parent, Allen said.
"It’s about how you show up for your community, how you use your voice when it matters most, and how you turn your pain into purpose for others," he continued. "Wesley’s in full remission now."
The NFL defensive end is now using his platform to help others through his charity, "Four One For All Foundation."
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Fans praise Josh Allen-Hines for using his NFL platform and son's story to build awareness
After Wesley completed his walk to midfield, NFL fans were quick to compliment the NFL for shining a light on a cause bigger than football.
"When you see a young fella like Wesley out there, it's plain as day that these games are just a stage for bigger, more important battles. The resilience and heart displayed by that family—that's the real championship trophy being handed out," one person commented X.
"You all are an inspiration," another person wrote.
"@JoshHinesAllen such an incredible moment for your son and yourself. Godspeed to you, your son and your family. In a world filled with hate, you've shown the world love and compassion. For that, I thank you sir," a third added.
"Congrats on the great news and using the platform you are given to spread positive in a world full of negative. Some things (probably most) are bigger than football, God is good! Way to go Wesley," another person said.
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