Photo by: Tyler McFarland
Defining Strength
4/19/2024 12:00:00 PM | Football
Weston Derrick shows he has the heart and fight to be a Bronco
BOISE, Idaho – As six-year-old Weston Derrick stepped foot into the facility he would soon call home, his excitement was palpable. Eyes wide open, in a hurry but cherishing every step, he walked towards the entrance to the Boise State football team room. On the other side of those doors, his soon-to-be teammates listened to a playlist created by the young man himself, waiting, quietly, ready to greet the Broncos' newest signee.
When they finally slid wide open, an eruption exploded. The Boise State football program voiced their excitement for their new colleague in the form of a huge standing ovation, who was in awe of the sight before him. Momentarily frozen in his steps, it was all Derrick could do to take it all in. Captain Brave was home.
Watching the scene unfold from the other side of the room with the glowing love of a fatherly gaze, head football coach Spencer Danielson knew immediately he had just changed the definition of strength for his program.
Like most families, making memories is extremely important to the Derricks. They aim to make as many memories together as possible, and you never know how long you have with beloved family members. For the Derricks, that sense of urgency created by time carries a little more weight.
Derrick was diagnosed with POLR3B Leukodystrophy when he was three years old, a diagnosis that changed his parents' priorities in an instant. But the worry for his family came long before that moment. As early as the age of 18 months, his mother and father – Ashley and Gabe – began to see signs that their child may travel a different road than most kids.
A medical condition that affects the white matter of the brain, POLR3B Leukodystrophy is a genetic disease that will eventually take away all functions of the body. But it takes effect without a time limit; you never know when it will begin to afflict its host. The effects on the body are different with each case and can begin to show at any age.
Being part of a team is a core principle to the Derrick family. Gabe Derrick wanted his son to experience what it means to be part of this culture - the highs and the lows teammates face together, the idea of brotherhood and providing motivation for your teammates on and off the field. Weston has embraced being a Bronco and inspires everyone who he meets.
Gallery: (2-8-2024) Team IMPACT Signing Day
For his parents, it has taken a group effort to get to this point. One of their main partners throughout this process has been Team IMPACT. The organization's mission is to guide children and teams alike in a mutually beneficial relationship of belonging, empowerment and resilience. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT achieves that by matching children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved.
The signing ceremony was not the first interaction the Derrick family had with Boise State. Father, Gabe, is a Boise alumnus that has long been a member of Bronco Nation, even as he served overseas in the United States Marine Corps. Following his service to his country, Gabe returned home to the Treasure Valley and obtained his degree from Boise State University in 2014.
Throughout a 2023 football campaign that was filled with many ups and downs, Weston Derrick was the one constant. On a bimonthly schedule throughout the season, a rotating group of Bronco players would join Derrick for lunch at his school. Perhaps that is why the daunting challenges faced by the Broncos throughout last fall seemed small in the grander perspective, allowing the players to remain calm under a level of pressure that would break lesser teams.
Comparatively, their challenges were miniscule. All in all, facing the competition on the gridiron was nothing compared to the challenges Derrick faces on a daily basis.
Some of the challenges, or symptoms, Derrick faced early in his life included beginning to walk at a stage much later than what is typical and his top front two teeth never developed. Sometimes, during the middle of the night, his oxygen would drop below 80% and his parents would need to help him start breathing properly again.
As the months went on, Derrick's motor skills continued to develop at a much slower rate than expected. Knowing that progression was not on pace with what it should be, his parents made an appointment with a local neurologist.
Following several months of tests, waiting for results and repeating that process multiple times, the doctors eventually discovered that Weston Derrick's cerebellum was much smaller than it should be for a child his age and size, and his brain's white matter was developing at a far slower rate than expected. The result was his POLR3B Leukodystrophy diagnosis.
With that being such a rare disorder – less than 200 people around the world have ever been diagnosed with his specific case – no medication, cure or even therapies currently exist. However, there is hope, even if the odds are less than 0.1%. After attending a recent conference at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Weston's parents attended a seminar discussing a gene therapy treatment possibly coming available in the next 5-to-10 years that could slow down the effects of this disease.
The possibility of a treatment may still seem a long way away, yet they remain hopeful. Even if the treatment is not approved in time to help Weston, it will still be able to help the lives of other families.
Weston has been through a lot for such a young boy and yet he faces every challenge, every step, with a smile seemingly wider than a football field. The impact he has made on the people around him – including the Boise State football team – is astounding. His infectious joy, grit and bravery exuded is a model for every member on the Boise State roster because, no matter the opponent or the odds, he doesn't bat an eye as he charges ahead.
No wonder he is nicknamed "Captain Brave."
See Him at the Boise State Spring Game presented by First Federal
Bronco fans wanting to get their first glimpse of "Captain Brave" Weston Derrick can do so Saturday at Albertsons Stadium as Weston and his family are expected to be in attendance at the Boise State Spring Game presented by First Federal.
Join the Fight
Want to know more about or join the fight against 4H Leukodystrophy? Visit the Yaya Foundation at yayafoundation4hl.org to learn more. The Yaya Foundation is dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for 4H Leukodystrophy by funding and connecting critical research efforts and to providing education, support and advocacy for children and families living with 4H Leukodystrophy today.
For complete coverage of Boise State Football, download the Bronco Sports App or follow the team on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.
When they finally slid wide open, an eruption exploded. The Boise State football program voiced their excitement for their new colleague in the form of a huge standing ovation, who was in awe of the sight before him. Momentarily frozen in his steps, it was all Derrick could do to take it all in. Captain Brave was home.
Watching the scene unfold from the other side of the room with the glowing love of a fatherly gaze, head football coach Spencer Danielson knew immediately he had just changed the definition of strength for his program.
Like most families, making memories is extremely important to the Derricks. They aim to make as many memories together as possible, and you never know how long you have with beloved family members. For the Derricks, that sense of urgency created by time carries a little more weight.
Derrick was diagnosed with POLR3B Leukodystrophy when he was three years old, a diagnosis that changed his parents' priorities in an instant. But the worry for his family came long before that moment. As early as the age of 18 months, his mother and father – Ashley and Gabe – began to see signs that their child may travel a different road than most kids.
A medical condition that affects the white matter of the brain, POLR3B Leukodystrophy is a genetic disease that will eventually take away all functions of the body. But it takes effect without a time limit; you never know when it will begin to afflict its host. The effects on the body are different with each case and can begin to show at any age.
Being part of a team is a core principle to the Derrick family. Gabe Derrick wanted his son to experience what it means to be part of this culture - the highs and the lows teammates face together, the idea of brotherhood and providing motivation for your teammates on and off the field. Weston has embraced being a Bronco and inspires everyone who he meets.
For his parents, it has taken a group effort to get to this point. One of their main partners throughout this process has been Team IMPACT. The organization's mission is to guide children and teams alike in a mutually beneficial relationship of belonging, empowerment and resilience. Founded in 2011, Team IMPACT achieves that by matching children facing serious illness and disability with college sports teams, creating a long-term, life-changing experience for everyone involved.
The signing ceremony was not the first interaction the Derrick family had with Boise State. Father, Gabe, is a Boise alumnus that has long been a member of Bronco Nation, even as he served overseas in the United States Marine Corps. Following his service to his country, Gabe returned home to the Treasure Valley and obtained his degree from Boise State University in 2014.
Throughout a 2023 football campaign that was filled with many ups and downs, Weston Derrick was the one constant. On a bimonthly schedule throughout the season, a rotating group of Bronco players would join Derrick for lunch at his school. Perhaps that is why the daunting challenges faced by the Broncos throughout last fall seemed small in the grander perspective, allowing the players to remain calm under a level of pressure that would break lesser teams.
Comparatively, their challenges were miniscule. All in all, facing the competition on the gridiron was nothing compared to the challenges Derrick faces on a daily basis.
Some of the challenges, or symptoms, Derrick faced early in his life included beginning to walk at a stage much later than what is typical and his top front two teeth never developed. Sometimes, during the middle of the night, his oxygen would drop below 80% and his parents would need to help him start breathing properly again.
As the months went on, Derrick's motor skills continued to develop at a much slower rate than expected. Knowing that progression was not on pace with what it should be, his parents made an appointment with a local neurologist.
Following several months of tests, waiting for results and repeating that process multiple times, the doctors eventually discovered that Weston Derrick's cerebellum was much smaller than it should be for a child his age and size, and his brain's white matter was developing at a far slower rate than expected. The result was his POLR3B Leukodystrophy diagnosis.
With that being such a rare disorder – less than 200 people around the world have ever been diagnosed with his specific case – no medication, cure or even therapies currently exist. However, there is hope, even if the odds are less than 0.1%. After attending a recent conference at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Weston's parents attended a seminar discussing a gene therapy treatment possibly coming available in the next 5-to-10 years that could slow down the effects of this disease.
The possibility of a treatment may still seem a long way away, yet they remain hopeful. Even if the treatment is not approved in time to help Weston, it will still be able to help the lives of other families.
Weston has been through a lot for such a young boy and yet he faces every challenge, every step, with a smile seemingly wider than a football field. The impact he has made on the people around him – including the Boise State football team – is astounding. His infectious joy, grit and bravery exuded is a model for every member on the Boise State roster because, no matter the opponent or the odds, he doesn't bat an eye as he charges ahead.
No wonder he is nicknamed "Captain Brave."
See Him at the Boise State Spring Game presented by First Federal
Bronco fans wanting to get their first glimpse of "Captain Brave" Weston Derrick can do so Saturday at Albertsons Stadium as Weston and his family are expected to be in attendance at the Boise State Spring Game presented by First Federal.
Join the Fight
Want to know more about or join the fight against 4H Leukodystrophy? Visit the Yaya Foundation at yayafoundation4hl.org to learn more. The Yaya Foundation is dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for 4H Leukodystrophy by funding and connecting critical research efforts and to providing education, support and advocacy for children and families living with 4H Leukodystrophy today.
For complete coverage of Boise State Football, download the Bronco Sports App or follow the team on social media on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter/X.
--BroncoSports.com--
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