2019 was a “weird” time for then Bakersfield Christian High School quarterback and 17-year-old Braden Waterman. Throughout the season, he sensed something was wrong with his body. After a game that year—where he seemed unable to focus accompanied by high fever—Waterman received the toughest news of his life.

Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma read the official diagnosis on New Year’s day in 2020—a rare type of blood cancer that affects the body’s lymphatic system, compromising white blood cells leading to reduced immunity. It’s as if the world had passed by in a fleeting second, leaving the QB stuck at the precipice of life and death. “Things started kind of falling apart…Getting some fevers during the day, losing weight. It was kind of weird. I was like, ‘Dude, what’s going on with me?’ ” Waterman recalled while talking about the tough time. Initially, blood tests didn’t provide any answers; doctors thought it was a mere viral infection. However, things started taking a drastic turn when, during the football offseason, the young boy took to basketball but was unable to run down the court. “I was so sick. I was, like, dead. I was dying,” Brendan said, as per The Clarion-Ledger.

And then the battle began. For four months, Braden was put under an intense chemotherapy regimen. He struggled to eat, lost all his hair, was reduced to a shadow of his former self. Around April 2020, doctors informed he was cancer-free. The test results were wrong.“The PET scan was not correct. I got a CT scan two months after that PET scan, and they found a little lesion in my stomach. And that’s when they told me that they wanted me to do 18 months of chemo.”

However, amid all the adversities, Waterman’s sheer determination is a story marked with bravery, and proving doctors wrong—he was told school was off limits let alone sports, and that his life would now revolve around just hospital visits. So what did the teenager do? He took matters into his own hands and erected a mighty football record that left doctors and the community astounded. But before we get to that part, let’s give you the good news first…

As things currently stand, Brendan Waterman is officially cancer-free after four years. He took to Instagram on November 15 to announce, “4 years later October 29, 2024 I was told I was cancer free. After going through chemotherapy 3 times and a stem cell transplant I can finally say there is no more cancer!!”, bringing joy not only to his fans but also to his teammate and head coach’s daughter. Both of them show their elation through their Instagram handles. Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart shared a story of Braden’s post saying, “So happy for you bro!” He also commented on the QB’s post: “So happy for you bro! Toughest dude I know! God is Great”.

Lane Kiffin’s daughter, Landry Kiffin, on the other hand, wrote, “Congratulations.” For the unversed: Waterman joined the Ole Miss Rebels arsenal for the 2022 campaign, but has since been unable to play due to his health. He was diagnosed for the third time in 2023. However, the QB and Kiffin have always maintained a close relationship, with the latter never leaving an opportunity to appreciate the youngster. “His energy, his positivity, he shows back up here after doing chemo,” the HC said once.

And that’s exactly what Waterman been able to achieve: Respect. Because he never gave up, no matter what…

When things looked bleak and doctors gave up in 2020, he retorted with a strict course of action. Waterman stopped his sugar and gluten intake, hoping it would starve the cancer. “It worked for a while…Hodgkin’s Lymphoma is a very fast-growing cancer. I slowed it down for three years, so I know what it worked to some degree, but we obviously didn’t kill it.” 

That same year, he made an unusual request to his father, and the latter obliged. Waterman visited a local field to practice throwing. But, as per his father, “His fingers weren’t working…He literally couldn’t throw the football. He falls to his knees and he’s crying. I’ve seen him cry twice in my life, and this was the second time and it just broke me. He said, ‘Dad, I’ll never play football again, I’m done.’” Heads-up: Waterman played football again.

In fact, he “crushed” it. During his high school years, he tallied for 3,027 passing yards, 41 touchdowns, and 248 rushing yards, led his team to the 2022 District League Champions, and won three varsity letters, all between bouts of cancer. And perhaps this is exactly what earned him his Rebels HC love and respect…

Lane Kiffin believed in Braden Waterman

Soon after Braden’s cancer news came out, almost every program lost interest in him except Lane Kiffin’s Ole Miss. He was standing like a pillar of support with Braden in his tough time. And even though Waterman didn’t play a single game for the team, Kiffin never let go of him.

Moreover, Lane Kiffin also appreciated his dedication and resilience; even after going through pretty intense treatment, Braden Waterman never stopped coming back to his team. “I just love being around him…Just really smart and savvy. Really good talent, but just really smart with the football and throws really well,” said the coach.

“I talk to our players when they’re down about how they don’t have enough plays or they didn’t carry the ball enough or catch the ball enough. Look at what he’s going through and fighting through and is still here and positive,” the coach further said.

Having said that, now that Braden has finally fought his long battle of hardship, there might be possibilities of his return to the team, and if that’s the game, gear up to see Ole Miss rolling next season.