Jordan Spieth Filled With Emotions Over Meeting Young Cancer-Stricken Fan: ‘Nobody Should’ve to Deal With..’

As a professional sportsperson, you can influence not only your career but also the lives of millions around the globe. With a fan following like that of Jordan Spieth, there is no question that everyone finds inspiration from his incredible journey. While the Dallas native might only be a shadow of his former self, he is still one of the most beloved golfers in the world. And Spieth is using that to leave a positive impact on the world, just like he always does.

During the Pro-Am event of the ongoing 2025 Charles Schwab Challenge, the 31-year-old stole the show right off the tee. Walking beside him was a 14-year-old boy, Zeke Newberry, a pediatric cancer fighter who has been battling the disease since a very young age. For the entirety of the first hole, Spieth had Newberry caddying for him in an exclusive VIP Experience, partnering with Children’s Flight of Hope.

Speaking of the few minutes he spent with the teenager, the Texan said, “It was the best hole I’ve played this week, to be honest. I made an eagle with him on the bag. I have yet to do that in any other hole.” Seems like Spieth also enjoyed the experience of playing with Newberry on the bag. But their on-course partnership is not all that he had to talk about during his post-round interview. The 13-time PGA Tour winner also shared how he connected with the young fan.

“Our foundation supported an organization that he and his family have taken advantage of, which has allowed him to take a lot of flights, expenses paid, this amazing organization, where these kids can go get treatment. He was flying from Naples to Florida, I think 20 some odd times, and now I know it’s less often, but for a while it was every two weeks, I think. That’s how it came about,” said Spieth, giving some insights on Newberry’s journey. Apart from Texas being the hub of cancer care in the USA and the state where the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation originates, Florida also has several great cancer institutes like the Moffitt Cancer Center.

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Sympathizing with Newberry, Spieth added, “I think he’s had his first surgery or his first treatment when he was, like, 3, and now he’s 14. I mean, that kind of situation just nobody should have to deal with.” For a 3-year-old to suffer the harsh treatment for the disease is truly heartbreaking, and Jordan Spieth resonates with the same. He continued, “Pediatric cancer is just an absolutely just terrible, terrible thing. We just got hooked up, I’m not exactly sure how, but he had some cousins here. I think maybe the organization was just going to bring him over here. So it was cool to spend some time with him and walk the first hole with him,” expressing how disheartening it is to watch young children battling cancer. But Spieth didn’t fail to mention how great it was to have Newberry around at the Colonial Country Club.

That’s when a journalist requested the PGA Tour pro to mention how integral it is for golfers to give back to the community. To this, Spieth mentioned that every athlete should do that as young children look uoto them the most. He attributed his upbringing to his giving nature, saying, “It’s really just comes back to my upbringing with my parents and then also my high school at Jesuit. To me it was, like, Hey, just recognize that there are a lot of people that are struggling, and we’re not.” Jordan Spieth himself came from an affluent background. His father, Shawn, was a media entrepreneur, while his mother, Mary Christine, worked as a computer engineer.

Despite their riches, both his parents were hardworking individuals, and they raised Spieth in the same environment. Further speaking of his mentality and view of the world, Spieth added, “I will grind out there, and it may seem like the world is ending to me out there, and I know in retrospect that that’s just on the golf course, and I’m just competing. Anything that athletes can do, and when I was young, I looked up to them. If you can be a role model, you definitely should be trying your hardest too.” Just like his fans now, Spieth also grew up with heroes and role models, his parents being some of them. And in his time as an influential individual himself, he is showing his fans how one should approach fame and popularity.

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Coming back to his contribution to the community, Jordan Spieth, through his foundation, has left a huge mark on the world.

Jordan Spieth’s contribution to the world

Jordan Spieth has always found ways to give back to the fans who made him famous. Even in 2024, he shared the course with another cancer fighter, Kendall Ramos. Fondly known as Kelly, the 14-year-old was fighting with a rare type of aggressive cancer, Ewing’s Sarcoma. She was diagnosed with the disease in 2021 and approached the Jordan Spieth Family Foundation for treatment. Through them, Kelly was able to get her leg amputated to avoid the further spread of her disease. She was on the course for the 2024 Valero Texas Open and also received a golf cart from the tournament sponsors and a bag from Titleist.

The Jordan Spieth Family Foundation not only supports pediatric cancer care. Founded in 2014, the same year Spieth had his golden run, the foundation also contributes to youth, junior golf, and military support. Over the years, the JSFF has had over 100 Charitable Giving, as confirmed on their official website. While he continues to push for his 14th career win, Jordan Spieth is truly helping change lives and spread joy all across the world.