{"id":10855,"date":"2026-08-12T14:15:29","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T18:15:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/?p=10855"},"modified":"2026-08-12T14:18:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T18:18:19","slug":"friendship-series-more-than-a-friendship-a-lifeline-gannon-and-cooper-penn-state-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-more-than-a-friendship-a-lifeline-gannon-and-cooper-penn-state-football\/","title":{"rendered":"Friendship Series: More Than a Friendship\u2014a Lifeline &#8211; Gannon and Cooper, Penn State Football"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For 12-year-old Gannon, life has never followed the typical playbook. He was born 12 weeks premature and weighing just 13 ounces; Gannon has faced challenges from the very beginning. At just three-and-a-half years old, he was diagnosed with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD), including Crohn&#8217;s disease and colitis, along with immune dysfunction. Today, he undergoes outpatient IV chemotherapy every eight weeks and takes oral chemotherapy twice a day.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But when Gannon joined the Penn State football family through Team IMPACT in 2024, something changed. He didn&#8217;t just gain a favorite team; he gained a brother. That brother is Penn State football student-athlete Cooper Cousins.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-9-16 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe title=\"Gannon and Cooper, Penn State Football\" width=\"563\" height=\"1000\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Q7nZXylZptg?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1&#038;origin=https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">From the moment they met, Cooper made sure Gannon knew he belonged. Whether they&#8217;re arriving together on the team bus or spending time with the Nittany Lions, Cooper has created a space where Gannon isn&#8217;t seen through the lens of hospital stays, treatments, or diagnoses. Instead, he&#8217;s welcomed as an essential part of the team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Gannon&#8217;s family, that sense of belonging has been life changing.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Cooper Cousins, Penn State Nittany Lions&#8217; football and Team IMPACT didn&#8217;t just give Gannon a team; they gave him a lifeline,&#8221; his family shared. &#8220;Cooper gave him brotherhood when the world felt isolated. Cooper gave him belonging when he was in the ICU and hospital rooms tried to make him feel different.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their friendship extends far beyond football; it&#8217;s built on showing up, standing together, and making sure no one feels alone.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"800\" data-id=\"10856\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon1.jpg?resize=600%2C800&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon1.jpg?w=600&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 600w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon1.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10857\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?resize=169%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?resize=768%2C1365&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?resize=864%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon2.jpg?w=1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"766\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10858\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?resize=766%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10858\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?resize=766%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 766w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?resize=224%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 224w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?resize=768%2C1027&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?resize=1148%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1148w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon3.jpeg?w=1531&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1531w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;On that field, he isn&#8217;t the kid with fragile bones or on chemotherapy,&#8221; his family said. &#8220;He walks in proud off the team bus with Cooper and the entire team. He is a brother, he&#8217;s family. They fight for each other. They carry each other, and Cooper has never\u2014not once\u2014let Gannon stand alone.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That unwavering support has given Gannon something every child deserves, the confidence and security to simply be himself.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Team IMPACT matches are about creating moments of joy, but they&#8217;re also about building relationships that endure life&#8217;s toughest battles. Cooper&#8217;s friendship reminds us that the greatest teammates aren&#8217;t measured by statistics or wins, but that they&#8217;re measured by the way they make others feel seen, valued, and loved.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For Gannon, Cooper has become far more than a teammate; he&#8217;s a brother.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10861\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?resize=169%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?resize=768%2C1365&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?resize=864%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon6.jpg?w=1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10859\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon4.jpg?resize=768%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon4.jpg?w=768&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon4.jpg?resize=225%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"576\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"10862\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&#038;quality=89&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-10862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?resize=576%2C1024&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 576w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?resize=169%2C300&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 169w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?resize=768%2C1365&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?resize=864%2C1536&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 864w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.teamimpact.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Gannon7.jpg?w=1152&amp;quality=89&amp;ssl=1 1152w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 576px) 100vw, 576px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And as Gannon&#8217;s family so perfectly put it, &#8220;This isn&#8217;t just football. This is love in its purest form.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>For 12-year-old Gannon, life has never followed the typical playbook. He was born 12 weeks premature and weighing just 13 ounces; Gannon has faced challenges from the very beginning. At just three-and-a-half years old, he was diagnosed with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD), including Crohn&#8217;s disease and colitis, along with immune dysfunction. Today, he undergoes outpatient IV chemotherapy every eight weeks and takes oral chemotherapy twice a day.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":10860,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[33,25,17,18],"tags":[],"mens-teams":[],"class_list":["post-10855","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-match-stories","category-perspective","category-success-stories","category-updates"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Friendship Series: More Than a Friendship\u2014a Lifeline - Gannon and Cooper, Penn State Football - Team IMPACT<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.teamimpact.org\/about\/blog\/friendship-series-more-than-a-friendship-a-lifeline-gannon-and-cooper-penn-state-football\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Friendship Series: More Than a Friendship\u2014a Lifeline - Gannon and Cooper, Penn State Football - Team IMPACT\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"For 12-year-old Gannon, life has never followed the typical playbook. He was born 12 weeks premature and weighing just 13 ounces; Gannon has faced challenges from the very beginning. At just three-and-a-half years old, he was diagnosed with very early-onset inflammatory bowel disease (VEO-IBD), including Crohn&#039;s disease and colitis, along with immune dysfunction. 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