Aaron Nicklas T-shirt Fundraiser
June 17, 2024 GEFA Staff
On August 5th, 2022 Aaron Nicklas heard the words that would change his life, he had cholangiocarcinoma, bile duct cancer.
After finding out his diagnosis, he immediately underwent six months of grueling chemotherapy and radiation treatments. In February of 2023, he had targeted radiation beads placed into his liver. Unfortunately, the beads did not work as hoped. In September of 2023, Aaron was accepted and admitted into a trial experimental treatment at UPMC Shadyside where that too failed. On June 11, 2024 after almost two years of fighting, Aaron passed away.
Anyone who has had the chance to have met Aaron has become a better person because of it. Aaron was an amazing husband, father, brother, and friend. Five months after his diagnosis, Aaron and his wife Lacy welcomed a beautiful baby boy into the world. Tate Aaron has been their ray of light and inspiration through such a difficult time for their family.
Aaron Nicklas played five years in the Great Eastern Football Association. There, he won over the hearts of every opponent he ever encountered. During his time in the league Aaron won the Big Ugly (best offensive lineman) award twice for his fierce play on the field but was a teddy bear off of the field. After every play, if he knocked you down, he would come back and help pick you up then tell you a joke to make you laugh. Aaron made football enjoyable, he brought the kid out in all of us. After the games, whether you drank or not, you had a beer with Aaron and if there was a grill around chances are he was cooking you a burger. He was everything you wanted from a player in the GEFA. His character and integrity is the standard for how to conduct themselves in the GEFA. In 2023, Aaron was inducted into the GEFA Hall of Fame.
Please help us show support for a great man and his beautiful family by purchasing a shirt. Aaron always wore a "Make Football Violent Again" shirt on game day so to honor him we will be selling those shirts with "Nicklas 75" on the back. All proceeds will go towards his family to help with medical bills and expenses.
