Noah Reeb: A 10-Year-Old Hero’s Journey from Brain Cancer to the NFL Sidelines
Noah Reeb’s life changed forever in November 2020, when the first hints of trouble began to appear. At just seven years old, the energetic boy from Utah started complaining of daily headaches. At first, his parents thought it was typical childhood discomfort, but the pain grew increasingly severe. James Reeb, Noah’s father, remembers watching his son struggle, doubled over with nausea, vomiting from the intensity of the headaches, and yet trying to push through as if nothing were wrong. These were not ordinary headaches—they were the early signs of a battle no child should ever have to face.
By February 22, the Reeb family received life-altering news: Noah had a germinoma, a rare germ cell tumor located in his brain. The diagnosis was devastating, an invisible enemy threatening to take away their son’s health and their peace. For Jacque, Noah’s mother, and James, the reality of cancer was overwhelming. But from the moment the diagnosis was delivered, the family’s love, faith, and determination became a shield against fear.
Noah’s treatment was intense and grueling. Within a week and a half, he underwent two surgeries, including a full craniotomy, a procedure that required opening the skull to access and remove the tumor. It was a frightening ordeal, yet Noah faced it with remarkable bravery. As his parents describe, he never allowed the pain or fear to extinguish his spirit.
Following surgery, Noah endured weeks of chemotherapy, the harsh drugs attacking both the cancer and, inadvertently, parts of his growing body. The treatments left him physically drained, but mentally and emotionally, he refused to surrender. Even as needles pricked, and injections caused discomfort, Noah’s resilience shone through. His father recalls countless moments when Noah, despite his fatigue, asked, “Am I going to be done in time for practice? Am I going to be done in time for my game?”
Football had always been Noah’s sanctuary. The sport offered him a temporary escape from the hospital environment, from the constant vigilance, from the sense of vulnerability that accompanies every child fighting cancer. When chemotherapy or radiation sessions left him feeling isolated and weak, thinking about football, about running across the field and throwing passes, gave him motivation. It reminded him of life beyond the treatments and the hospital walls.
Amid the long nights in the hospital, with the hum of monitors and the distant sounds of the city outside, Noah received a lifeline from someone he admired greatly: Tom Brady, the six-time Super Bowl champion quarterback. Early in Noah’s battle, Brady sent a short video message to encourage him. In the clip, Brady reassured Noah that he had a strong family supporting him and that he would be okay. It was a simple gesture, but it carried enormous weight. Every time Noah felt weak or frightened, he would watch the video again. James Reeb remembers how it “picked Noah right up” and served as a beacon of hope, a reminder that courage exists even in the darkest moments.
The Reebs’ days were filled with the rhythm of hospital visits, treatments, and rehabilitation. Through it all, Noah never lost his love for football. Even while enduring chemotherapy, he remained determined to play, to throw, to run. The sport became intertwined with his healing. Every practice, every throw, every imaginary play across the living room or backyard felt like a victory against the disease threatening his life.
By July 2021, after months of surgeries, chemotherapy, and radiation, Noah reached a milestone that filled the family with profound relief and joy: he was declared cancer-free. The ringing of the bell at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City symbolized not only the end of active treatment but also a new beginning—a chance to reclaim his childhood and his dreams.
Yet Noah’s journey was far from over. In October, a special opportunity arose that combined his passion for football with a moment of personal celebration. On October 25, Noah traveled across the country with his family to Tampa Bay, Florida, to attend a Buccaneers game against the Chicago Bears. It was more than just a football game; it was a chance to meet the hero who had inspired him throughout his treatment: Tom Brady.
Noah arrived at the stadium carrying a homemade sign that read, “Tom Brady helped me beat brain cancer.” His small hands clutched the sign tightly as he sat in the stands, heart pounding, eyes wide with excitement. Brady noticed the sign almost immediately. In a moment that Noah would never forget, the quarterback ran to the sidelines, approached the young cancer survivor, and placed a Buccaneers “Crucial Catch” cap on his head. The gesture brought tears to Noah’s eyes. Overwhelmed by gratitude, joy, and relief, he broke down, a mixture of emotion and disbelief washing over him.
“It was a blessing to even attend the game,” Noah later said. “The fact that I was even there made me want to cry … I was so happy.” For Noah, this was the culmination of years of struggle, a moment that transformed a fan experience into a deeply personal triumph.
The Reeb family reflects on how football served not just as entertainment, but as a lifeline during treatment. The sport provided Noah with mental and emotional strength, a safe haven where the pain of illness could be temporarily forgotten. Brady’s video, the upcoming game, and the dream of meeting his hero became an anchor that kept him focused on recovery.
Now, Noah continues to enjoy the freedoms of childhood with renewed gratitude. He returned to school, catching up on missed lessons and reconnecting with friends. He participates in football and other activities he loves, embodying the resilience, determination, and positivity that have carried him through the darkest days.
Noah’s story is a powerful reminder of how small gestures, unwavering support, and personal determination can combine to overcome even the most daunting challenges. His journey shows that courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to continue despite it. His battle against germinoma, a rare brain tumor, and his recovery has inspired his family, friends, and countless strangers. It demonstrates that hope, when nurtured with love and community support, can turn the impossible into reality.
From the first hospital visit to ringing the bell declaring him cancer-free, to the unforgettable meeting with Tom Brady at the NFL game, Noah’s journey is a testament to resilience, the power of dreams, and the unbreakable bond between a family determined to fight for their child. He has not only survived brain cancer but has also emerged as an inspiration, proving that even the most challenging battles can be met with courage, hope, and the joy of living.
Noah Reeb’s story continues, a living example of strength, faith, and the extraordinary impact one hero, one family, and one sport can have on the life of a child who refused to give up.
