Former Purdue LB Markus Bailey using NFL Combine to raise money for Tyler Trent Foundation
Former Purdue star linebacker Markus Bailey is using his platform at the NFL Combine to raise money for The Tyler Trent Foundation.
Bailey sent out a tweet on Friday night, letting everyone know that he’ll be fundraising for The Tyler Trent Foundation later this month in Indianapolis, when he takes part in the NFL Combine. Fundraising will be based on the number of repetitions Bailey puts up at the combine.
“Tyler Trent was a huge part of our family at Purdue. While he inspired so many of us as Boilermakers, the impact Tyler had across the entire nation was even greater and more phenomenal,” Bailey wrote on PledgeIt.org, the site where people can donate. “That’s why, as I take the next step towards achieving my NFL dream, I have made the important decision to use my performance at the NFL Combine to honor Tyler’s legacy by supporting The Tyler Trent Foundation, and their mission to provide funding for research on pediatric cancers and osteosarcoma.”
It is an honor and a privilege to announce that I will be fundraising for The Tyler Trent Foundation at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis. Please join me in supporting The Tyler Trent Foundation by pledging for every bench press rep I complete! #TylerStrong https://t.co/HvKzs1cmM9
— Markus Bailey (@mb_boiler21) February 15, 2020
Trent was a Purdue student, team captain and superfan who inspired millions across the country during his courageous battle with cancer. His story was featured on ESPN’s College GameDay and he quickly became the voice for cancer research across all of sports.
Trent passed away after a long battle with cancer in January 2019. He used the final months of his life to raise awareness of pediatric cancer and his impact was made across the nation.
For Purdue’s home opener in the 2019 season against Vanderbilt, the school unveiled the “T2” Tyler Trent Student Gate at Ross-Ade Stadium to honor him. There is also a plaque that details Trent’s story outside the gate.
Bailey is headed to the NFL Combine after spending almost the entire 2019 season sidelined with injury. The fifth-year linebacker appeared in the first two games and collected 14 tackles before suffering a season-ending injury.
In 2018, Bailey posted a career-high 115 tackles for the season. He ended his Purdue career with 324 stops, 28 tackles for loss and six interceptions.