14-Year-Old Kirkwood High School Varsity Football Player Jake Whitson Faces Brain Tumor Surgery as Community Rallies With Prayers and Support!
Besides football, Jake Whitson plays baseball in the spring.
November 21, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on November 21, 2026
Kirkwood High School varsity football player, Jake Whitson, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the young age of 14 on November 20, 2026.
The young athlete had not been feeling well for quite some time. He had been experiencing dizziness and severe headaches.
It got to the point where he decided to get a medical evaluation and a CT scan yesterday, and that’s when Jake and his family learned that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.
According to the doctors, Jake will need surgery to get the tumor removed.
Following his diagnosis, many have been showing support for his parents, Nathaniel “Nate” Whitson and Ashley Whitson, and his younger sister.
The Whitson family is trying to stay strong for Jake while everything else piles up, like hospital bills, driving back and forth for appointments, and missing work to be with him.
Jake Whitson, a freshman at Kirkwood High School, plays center on the varsity football team.
Besides football, he plays baseball in the spring and holds down first base and third base for the varsity squad.
Jake’s coach since 2026, Michael Costanzo, took to his Facebook to share his recent diagnosis and the link to a account.
He said that they had gotten close over the years. He wrote:
If you ever been around while Me and him are having a lesson, you’re definitely probably very entertained!!
Likewise, St. Bethlehem Little League, where Jake played for a long time and where his younger sibling also plays, also took to its social account, asking for prayers and financial help.
They shared the link to the GoFundMe campaign, writing:
One of our own, Jake Whitson, a longtime St. B player—and big brother to one of our younger softball players —has recently received devastating news.
He now faces brain surgery, and his family is doing everything they can to support him through this incredibly difficult time.
At St. B, we are more than teams and fields—we are a family, and no player of ours should ever have to fight a battle alone.
The financial burden the Whitsons are facing is overwhelming. They want nothing more than to focus on Jake’s recovery and ensure he receives the best care possible.
❤️🖤 This is where our community can make a difference.
Any support—whether through donating or sharing the fundraiser—will help lighten the load on this family and allow them to prioritize what matters most.
Thus far, his family hasn’t provided any further updates on Jake’s health.
During this challenging time, we pray that Jake gets better fast and comes home strong.
We are also praying that his parents, siblings, friends, and the whole family stay strong through this and find some light even on the hardest days.
Jake Whitson, praying for your speedy recovery!
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Aditi is an avid music lover whose interest's goes beyond the realm of music, with passion in digital marketing. A Gen Z who loves her personal space and is keen to exploring new things. An optimist who seeks silver lining in every circumstances life throws at her.
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