High School Athlete, 17, Dies After Having Cancer 7 Times During His Life

Sid Hobbs, a 17-year-old high school athlete who was diagnosed with cancer seven times in his life, has died.

The late teen’s family shared a post on their SidStrong Facebook page on Tuesday, Nov. 18 announcing his death. “This morning our warrior finished his final battle! After 16 years of battles, he has been given his complete healing.”

“Our hearts are shattered that Sid is no longer with us here, but we are comforted knowing he is in the arms of Jesus, and we will be with him again,” the post read. “Today, he received the miracle he was waiting for, but we knew the time we had with him was the miracle for us. He was everything I strive to be and an inspiration to everyone he met. He was a friend, a hero and now a Legend! Forever SIDSTRONG!”

Sid’s father John Hobbs thanked the high school athlete for being “a great son” and an “inspiration to the world,” in another post.

“I will daily remember all of his accolades, his smile, his loving heart, his grit, and his fight! I will hold on to the lifetime of memories that we made, and I’ll fondly replay all of his victories over and over in my mind! I’ll also remember how he carried himself in defeat and how he dealt with failure with a determination to overcome any obstacle in his way,” the post continued.

“Although I grieve the physical loss of my best friend and hero I know that the legacy he left behind will forever be etched in the hearts of those fortunate enough to know him and to those who hear of him for generations to come!!”

According to AL.com, the young athlete was first diagnosed with cancer when he was just two years old after doctors found an ependymoma brain tumor. Sid underwent surgery to have the tumor removed, and he began playing football and baseball when he was just four.

In the summer of 2017, Sid was once again diagnosed with cancer. In April 2024, another tumor was discovered during a trip to St. Jude in Memphis. The cancer had reportedly spread by the time of that diagnosis, according to AL.com.

Sid underwent seven surgeries and 60 rounds of radiation throughout his treatment, per the outlet, and he participated in Optune device therapy this last summer in an attempt to slow the tumor’s growth.

Before his son’s death, John, who was also Sid’s baseball coach, told AL.com, “Playing the game is most important to him,” adding, “It’s been his go-to since he was 2. This time, when he got the diagnosis, it was an easy mindset for him. ‘Let’s play some baseball and not worry about what we can’t control.’ ”

After his son’s death, John said Sid “taught me so many lessons about humility, perseverance, kindness, forgiveness, love and so many other things,” per AL.com.