:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/49219447/481000_2469471352631_1686742018_n.0.0.jpg)
The Frog Fam lost a superhero as Rylan Macomb -- a 6-year-old fan who had been battling Leukemia -- died Friday afternoon.
It is with the heaviest hearts and the most tears we have ever cried… https://t.co/40X8ZXL6vg
— Jason Macomb (@jamacomb) April 2, 2016
His dad posted to Instagram on Friday evening:
"It is with the heaviest hearts and the most tears we have ever cried to announce Rylan passed away this afternoon. We are devastated and in the most shock you can imagine. We had found out this morning that Rylan had beat cancer for the 4th time and in remission, but this afternoon he had fatal acute event that caused blood to fill up his lungs causing his heart to stop and not breathe. It all happened in a matter of seconds. We are at peace knowing Rylan did what he said he was going to do here, and by God he did it."
Rylan was better known as "Smilin' Rylan" for his bright smile and faithful support for the Frogs.
Rylan getting chemo & ready 4 game day! #GoFrogs #teamsmilinrylan #gameday @kels_patterson @RaeganPebleyTCU u all pic.twitter.com/hYUgyk7lJm
— Jason Macomb (@jamacomb) October 29, 2015
The TCU women's basketball team "adopted" Rylan as their own, and back in August, the team held a #Reps4Rylan event that asked everyone to do workouts like jumping jacks and push-ups to encourage Rylan to be strong.
Great way to finish out #Reps4Rylan on campus today! pic.twitter.com/SeXpmnvpNo
— TCU WomensBasketball (@TCUWbasketball) August 28, 2015
The Frog Fam came out in full force showing support for Rylan's family after his death. Women's basketball coach Raegan Pebley tweeted:
There is a superhero in us all; we just need the courage to put on our cape.
— Raegan Pebley (@RaeganPebleyTCU) April 2, 2016
Rylan & his parents @jamacomb put on their capes everyday.
Coach Schlossnagle may have been focused on the Shockers as his team was taking on Wichita State, but his buddy Rylan was not far from his mind:
Huge loss to the @TCU_Athletics family. Special prayers for this family. #smilinRylan https://t.co/euI4T7pu9f
— Jim Schlossnagle (@TCUSchloss) April 2, 2016
TCU's favorite Mrs (and unofficial campus mom) felt the pain as well, and sent her love to the Macombs as she remembered Rylan:
I have posted often about sweet Rylan & his family. I am heartbroken to share this news. https://t.co/OihDu1F1MP
— K.Patterson (@kels_patterson) April 2, 2016
It's obvious by the sheer volume of tweets and messages sent from across the Frog Family to the Macombs in this deeply sad time that this young man had a huge impact on the world in the short time he graced it with his presence. As big a fan of TCU as Rylan was, he had even more people that were a fan of his.
Rylan was always smilin' for the Frogs. Now Smilin' Rylan is in a place where the smiles will never end.
We are home from UCSF & Frogs first game tonight? Has 2 be a good sign! #gameday #gofrogs #teamsmilinrylan #frogfam pic.twitter.com/ZsuuEXJ9Ok
— Jason Macomb (@jamacomb) September 3, 2015
We love you, too, Rylan.
* special thanks to Jason Macomb and his family for allowing us to share Rylan's story here. Jason said that Rylan was as big of a fan of TCU as any student, alumni, etc - and I don't doubt that at all. You can send your thoughts to the family via twitter, where Jason uses the handle @jamacomb.