World famous Michigan gamer 'Ninja' reveals skin cancer diagnosis
Michigan native Tyler Blevins, most famously known for his video game playing by the pseudonym "Ninja," revealed an ongoing cancer diagnosis on Tuesday.
With roots in Taylor, Blevins has quickly grown to become the most followed Twitch streamer in the world. The 32-year-old started in the gaming industry as a "Halo" player before becoming the face of professional gaming during the launch of "Fortnite" in 2017.
Blevins posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday to announce his skin cancer diagnosis to his nearly 6 million followers. During a routine dermatology appointment, Blevins said he had a mole on his foot removed which tested positive for melanoma.
More: How Fortnite live streamer Ninja became a celebrity
"I had another dark spot appear near it, so today they biopsied that and removed a larger area around the melanoma with the hopes that under the microscope they will see clear non-melanoma edges and we will know we got it. I’m grateful to have hope in finding this early, but please take this as a PSA to get skin checkups," he writes.
Alright I’m still in a bit of shock but want to keep you all updated. A few weeks ago I went in to a dermatologist for an annual skin/mole check that Jess proactively scheduled for me. There was a mole on the bottom of my foot that they wanted to remove just to be careful. It…
— Ninja (@Ninja) March 26, 2024
In 2018, Blevins appeared on "The Ellen Degeneres Show" to teach the now-retired talk show host how to play Fortnite − and became the first professional gamer to appear on the cover of ESPN.
The following year in 2019, despite being a born Chicago Bears fan, Blevins says he is a Detroit Lions fan at heart.
More: As a mom fighting cancer, Princess Kate's diagnosis hit me hard | Opinion
He was on the sidelines at the Lions' home opener this season against the New York Jets, and Blevins — who declined an interview request from the Free Press — told ESPN he watches highlight videos of Barry Sanders, his favorite all-time player, when he wants to get pumped up.
.@Ninja❗️ #NationalVideoGamesDaypic.twitter.com/fbmOMsC8IJ
— Detroit Lions (@Lions) September 12, 2018
“It’s amazing,” Blevins said to ESPN about meeting the Lions players. “I’ve been a fan of them for such a long time. Been watching the Lions for like the last five years, so it’s just amazing. It’s humbling, I guess.”
Last week, exercise guru Richard Simmons, 75, announced his ongoing treatment to treat skin cancer, according to USA Today.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Twitch star Ninja reveals melanoma, skin cancer diagnosis
