Meet JJ, Iowa’s next Kid Captain

JJ Ward, a 6-year-old from Davenport, has dreams of playing football for Iowa one day.

"I like how they score a bunch of touchdowns in weird ways," Ward said. "Sometimes they dive headfirst and then sometimes they do a somersault in the end."

It's a dream that was nearly altered a day after JJ was born.

"We just did what we could in that moment, and it all seems like a blur now. Like, it all happened super fast. Ya know, a little bit more traumatic in the moment," said Tara Ward, JJ's mother.

"They were showing me the x-rays, and what their findings were, and they just knew something was wrong in the intestines, and so we didn't know what that looked like," said Jake Ward, JJ's father. "They basically had to get him hydrated and ready for surgery as soon as they could."

JJ was diagnosed with meconium ileus, an uncommon intestinal obstruction in newborns.

"(Doctors) had to remove about one-third of (JJ's) small intestine. They were able to reattach it, which is good, but he wasn't eating, and for that first week it was five milliliters at the time just to see what his body would tolerate, and what it would heal from," Jake Ward said.

Tests confirmed JJ had cystic fibrosis, a disease that causes mucus to build up in the body and damages other organs.

"They were full (emergency room) mode when he got there, running PICC lines, and 20-30 people in the room it seemed like," Jake Ward said.

Even through all of his medical adversity, JJ's smile has not disappeared.

"He tries really hard, and he just doesn't give up. So if you think you can play catch with him for a minute, you're playing catch with him for an hour," Jake Ward said.

It's that resilience and drive that led to JJ being the newest Iowa Kid Captain.

I'll tell (the Iowa football team), 'Play good,'" JJ Ward said.

Friday's game is a moment the entire family is looking forward to.

"I usually like to go outside with him and play with him," said Ella Ward, JJ's older sister.

JJ's story offers inspiration to Iowa fans and the Iowa football program.

"Just an impressive young man, and we'll be thinking of him on Friday certainly," said Kirk Ferentz, Iowa football's head coach.

"(JJ) just doesn't let his illness dictate what he is going to do," Tara Wara said. "His drive is just really admirable."

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.