Four-year-old Ellie Walker will be honored as an Iowa Kid Captain during the 2026 Hawkeye football season, giving fans an opportunity to remember a young girl who showed remarkable strength during her battle with cancer.
Ellie was diagnosed in June 2025 with pineoblastoma, a rare and aggressive stage-four brain cancer that had spread to her spine.
Her treatment included a 13-hour surgery to remove the tumor, followed by months of proton radiation and chemotherapy. Throughout her treatment, Ellie continued to face the challenges with determination and a positive spirit.
In May, Ellie reached remission. However, the cancer returned just weeks later in multiple areas of her brain and spine.
As her illness progressed, treatment was eventually replaced with comfort care. Ellie died six days later.
Before her death, Ellie received the news that she had been selected as an Iowa Kid Captain. She was able to participate in the program’s envelope-opening announcement and looked forward to being part of the Hawkeye tradition.
Ellie will be remembered during Iowa’s November 7 game at Northwestern. The Kid Captain program will also recognize all away-game Kid Captains on September 19 at Kinnick Stadium when Iowa hosts UNI.
