Young Bears Fan Battling Brain Cancer Names Tumor After Aaron Rodgers

You have to give Miguel Reyes credit. He doesn't cop out of a scrap.

Miguel, a 14-year-old Chicago Bears fan who was diagnosed with stage 3 brain cancer in 2014, could've left the tumor nameless or called it something weak and helpless like "the Redskins." 

Instead, he buckled down and gave it a real opponent's name, dubbing the tumor "Rodgers" after Green Bay Packers quarterback and No. 1 bane of Bears fans everywhere, Aaron Rodgers.

Miguel's story was covered at length in a story published by the Elkhart Truth's Sarah Welliver on Sunday.

Morry Gash/Associated Press

Welliver recounts the tale of Miguel's battle and his deep Bears fanship, which extends to all sectors of his life. It was this passion that resulted in an unlikely friendship with Peg Kelly—a junior high teacher of his and a longtime Packers fan he now lovingly refers to as "Aunt Peg."

But it didn't start all lovey dovey.

"The Packers suck," were the words Kelly says Miguel used when they first talked sports.

She says the rivalry has since served as a touchstone between her and Miguel—a foundation for a friendship in difficult times.

"I said 'You need to name that tumor so we can kill it', " Kelly told Welliver. "You know what he named it? 'Rodgers.' Aaron Rodgers. What a stinker!" 

Clearly, if anyone deserves a "Young Player-Hater of the Year" award, it's Miguel, who didn't cop out when tasked with naming his new nemesis. He went specific, and for that I applaud him.

As for Miguel's battle with Rodgers, he's had more success than his on-field team.

After going through 33 radiation therapy treatments and counting, Miguel's tumor tumor has stopped growing. The teen hasn't finished Rodgers off yet—he still deals with headaches, vision issues and seizures—but with a little help, it's hoped he can return to a more normal life.

A big part of that help is "Hester"—a 13-month-old German Shepherd the Reyes family brought into their home in 2014. Named after former Bears kick return savant Devin Hester, the dog is more than just Miguel's companion—it's a lifesaver in the making.

The Reyes family has started a GoFundMe campaign hoping to raise enough money to pay for the training needed to teach Hester to work as a seeing-eye dog and detect the seizures Miguel experiences as a result of the tumor.

As Welliver notes, it was Kelly's idea to find Miguel a canine friend for the tough times ahead.

"I knew he was going to be going through a long battle," Kelly said. " He needs to have someone that he can hold on to, and cry and laugh and talk to. He needs someone that doesn't treat him like he's sick." 

I can't think of anyone better for Miguel to have on his side. "Impossible" tends to take the day off when it sees a Hester on your team.

Dan is on Twitter. Beat Rodgers into the turf, Miguel.