Beloved NFL Star Gives Update On Son’s Cancer Battle

An NFL star whose family has been battling cancer for months finally shared a promising prognosis that is sure to inspire others.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Joshua Hines-Allen, 28, celebrated his young son overcoming an early cancer diagnosis. Now, “we’re channeling that victory into hope for families still in the battle,” he announced.

Together as a family, Hines-Allen and his son Wesley were joined by mother Kaitlyn Morrison and sisters Julian and Vanessa to ring the bell kicking off the Four One For Hope Sack-A-Thon, a competition that raises money to find cures for pediatric cancer.

The former Kentucky college player has promised to donate $410 for every sack the Jags’ defense completes in the 2025-2026 season. Online, he encouraged his followers to match his gift or make one of their own that renews with each sack.

“Your contributions will be split among four incredible organizations dedicated to fighting childhood cancer,” notes 41 for All, which funnels funds to Nemours Children’s Health, the American Cancer Society, the Ronald McDonald House Charities, and the National Pediatric Cancer Foundation.

“Let’s unite the power of football and philanthropy to support children battling cancer. Your pledge or donation—no matter the size—will help these young ones and their families receive the care and support they need. Together, we can sack cancer for good!” sponsors write.

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Donations are accepted from August 26, 2025, through January 6, 2026, on the 41 for All website.

Hines-Allen revealed in July that Wesley, 7, was doing well after undergoing chemotherapy following a seven-month battle with leukemia.

“The dreaded six-letter word that no parent ever wants to hear: Cancer,” he wrote on X when breaking the news.

“Seven months ago, our world stopped when our son, Wesley, was diagnosed with leukemia. As parents, we’ve held each other through tears we didn’t know we had, watching our little boy fight the biggest battle of his young life. But this Jacksonville community, and the team at @Nemours, carried us when we couldn’t stand, and now Wesley is on his way to full recovery.”

Hines-Allen did not play in the Jaguars’ 2024 season finale in Indianapolis after his son was diagnosed with leukemia, a type of blood cancer that can be life-threatening and can cause severe bleeding, anemia, and infections. The cancer affects around 30,000 people in the U.S., mostly in their 30s, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Since the 1980s, treatments have developed that have made a once-fatal disease curable, but not without grueling rounds of chemo.

“Wesley is doing great,” Hines-Allen shared in a video after his son was released from the hospital.

“He’s swimming every day. He’s running around. He’s playing sports.”