Tanea “Rebel” Brooks is taking on an even bigger role in the fight against ALS.
I AM ALS announced on October 15 that the former AEW star has been named the first Honorary Member of the organization’s Board of Directors, just months after she joined the group as an ambassador.
The move comes after Brooks revealed in May that she had been diagnosed with terminal ALS, something Ringside News covered at the time. Since then, she has turned a brutal personal battle into a public campaign to raise awareness, money and support for people living with the disease.
I AM ALS said Brooks will continue using her platform and her own experience with ALS to push people to get involved and fight for access to treatment. Brooks made it clear that advocacy has become a huge part of how she is approaching her diagnosis.
“Advocacy for ALS is a major priority in my battle, and I plan to continue to fight the good fight with I AM ALS to find a cure and help others get access to treatment.”
Brooks originally joined I AM ALS as an ambassador in June, only weeks after publicly revealing her diagnosis. She used that role to encourage fans to support the ACT for ALS legislation and urged people to “step into the ring with I AM ALS.”
Her new position comes after Congress passed an extension of the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act through fiscal year 2031. I AM ALS credited Brooks with helping push attention toward the legislation as the September 30 deadline approached.
I AM ALS CEO Andrea Goodman said Brooks wasted no time getting involved after receiving her diagnosis and praised the way she has used her personality and wrestling platform to get people to pay attention.
“Tanea turned a devastating moment into immediate action, calling us soon after her diagnosis to join the movement.”
Goodman said Brooks has been able to connect with people because she has remained herself throughout the fight.
“She uses her platform, humor, vulnerability and unwavering honesty to make people pay attention, and take action.”
The wrestling world has also rallied around Brooks in a huge way. AEW launched its Rebel Heart merchandise line in June, with profits going toward I AM ALS and Team Gleason. Ringside News covered the launch, which included a shirt and bracelet created in Brooks’ honor.
That support eventually grew into the September 9 Rebel Heart edition of AEW Dynamite in Athens, Georgia, where Brooks was honored throughout the night and surrounded by friends from across the wrestling business. Ringside News also covered the large group of wrestlers, friends and family who came to support her backstage.
Brooks has also received support from names including Britt Baker, Mick Foley, Cody Rhodes and Dustin Rhodes, while wrestling events and merchandise sales have continued raising money in her honor. Former WWE star Viktor even agreed to wrestle one final match at a benefit event supporting Brooks and I AM ALS.
Now Rebel isn’t just lending her name to the fight. She has a seat at the table. For Brooks, the honorary board position is another way to turn one of the hardest battles of her life into something that could help countless other people. She has made it clear from the beginning that she isn’t interested in quietly stepping away, and I AM ALS just gave her an even bigger platform to keep swinging.
What do you think about Rebel becoming the first Honorary Member of the I AM ALS Board of Directors and the way she has used her platform since revealing her diagnosis? Leave your feedback in the comments and let us know what you think.
