OSU marching band member is now cancer free

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)-- Everyone is counting down until the big matchup between Ohio State and the team up north, including members of the Best Damn Band in the Land.

Among the marching band is one member who has spent this season beating cancer. Grayson Neimi is a sophomore from Marysville and over the summer learned that he had testicular cancer.

“I was in school when I started to notice symptoms,” Neimi told NBC4. “I had soreness, a lump, and some enlargement.”

He completed surgery and underwent chemo while wrapping up tryouts for OSU’s marching band. Not only was he able to secure a spot in the band playing cymbals, but his determination even earned him the title of ‘Most Inspirational Band Person’ for 2024.

“There were some practices I missed because there was just no way I would be able to march, play hold-up cymbals like it’s not happening today,” Neimi said.” “There are sometimes that things are uncomfortable, and things don’t feel good but you’re going to have to suck it up and do it.”

You can find Grayson, who is officially cancer-free, on the field this Saturday as part of the halftime show.