Community rallies around Beth-Center HS football player diagnosed with cancer

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Pa. — Family members, teammates and a Washington County community are rallying behind a Beth-Center High School senior football player who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

Johnny Little, 18, was in pads last Friday. But the next day, he was in a hospital bed -- diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.

“He has a tumor that’s surrounding his kidney and it has metastasized to both lungs and his liver,”

Bridgett Trump, Little’s aunt, said. “It's tough and we're trying to work through it and keep our faith and believe that God has miracles.”

Despite the diagnosis and the battle that will begin for him on Monday, Little dressed in his uniform Saturday and watched his teammates from the sidelines on Senior Night.

“It's been … boy … it's been emotional,” Frank Pryor, assistant athletic director, said. “Some of the players on our team didn't know what to say to him.”

Everyone in attendance at Saturday’s game, including Beth-Center’s opponent, Charleroi, showed support for No. 48.

“He doesn't like to be the center of attention. We're kind of worried about that tonight, but he's doing really well,” Trump said.

Those who know Little say he's a fighter, and his strength and courage in the face of cancer are proof of just that.

“You're just a great, great kid that's gonna beat this, that’s going to enjoy your life, and you're gonna look back on this and say you came from the best place in America,” Pryor said.

Beth-Center won Saturday’s game for Little, defeating Charleroi 20-0.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise money for Little's treatment (CLICK HERE).

Cox Media Group