Kelby Telander: From Children’s Hospital Patient To Iowa Football Player
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On Saturday night, Iowa will take part in one of college football’s most recognizable traditions when the Hawkeyes host Ohio State on national television. At the end of the first quarter, players, coaches, and fans inside Kinnick Stadium will turn toward the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital and wave to the children and families watching there from above.
The Iowa tradition of having the entire stadium wave to patients at the children's hospital is one of the best in sports 🙏https://t.co/hMbmlbfG5S
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) October 9, 2021
For Iowa linebacker Kelby Telander, that moment means something deeper.
From Iowa Children’s Hospital to Kid Captain
Telander knows firsthand what it is like to be a child at the Iowa Children’s Hospital. He was born with a hearing problem and spent part of his childhood receiving care at the hospital.
For @HawkeyeFootball LB Kelby Telander, the Hawkeye Wave is a full-circle experience.
“Whatever we’re going through is nowhere near the challenge that they’re going through.” — @KelbyTelanderpic.twitter.com/2on3DBUW79
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 5, 2024
In 2009, Telander was selected as an Iowa Kid Captain. At roughly seven years old, he got the opportunity to experience Iowa football up close, giving him an early connection to the program that he would eventually play for.
The experience allowed Telander to see Kinnick Stadium and the Hawkeyes from a completely different perspective. At the time, however, he had no way of knowing he would eventually return to the stadium wearing an Iowa uniform.
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The Iowa Wave Makes It Personal
The Iowa Wave tradition began in 2017, when fans started turning toward the brand new Stead Family Children’s Hospital at the end of the first quarter to wave to the patients and families inside.
The tradition quickly became one of the most recognizable moments in college football. For Telander, though, the wave carries special meaning.
He isn’t simply waving towards a children’s hospital. He knows what it is like to be on the other side of those windows as a child receiving treatment.
This week’s Kid Captain Nile Kron recently met former Kid Captain (and current @HawkeyeFootball linebacker) Kelby Telander. The two share a common bond: they each have cochlear implants. Read more about Nile: https://t.co/AufBsXVlwkpic.twitter.com/zR7W046OFN
— UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital (@UIchildrens) September 7, 2023
That connection makes Telander’s journey particularly meaningful whenever Iowa takes part in the tradition. He went from being a young patient and Iowa Kid Captain and eventually became a Hawkeye football player participating in the same tradition that now brings the stadium and hospital together.
Telander’s Journey to Iowa Football
Before becoming a Hawkeye, Telander was a standout multi-sport athlete at Liberty High School in North Liberty, which is just outside Iowa City. He excelled in football, basketball and track, showing the athletic ability that eventually helped him earn an opportunity at Iowa.
Telander played multiple positions in high school and also competed in track and field, where he earned all-conference recognition. His success across multiple sports helped establish him as one of the top athletes in his area.
He eventually joined Iowa as a walk-on in 2021, turning a childhood connection to the Hawkeyes into an opportunity to play for the program himself.
Now a graduate student, Telander has continued his journey with the Hawkeyes while balancing football and academics. After playing in 13 games last year, Telander will miss all of the 2026 season due to an injury in what will likely be his final college football season unless he is granted a medical hardship waiver.
A Full-Circle Moment at Kinnick
On Saturday night, a national television audience will watch as Iowa and Ohio State face off at Kinnick Stadium. But before the game reaches its conclusion, the stadium will pause for one of college football’s most meaningful traditions.
Telander will have the opportunity to look toward the hospital and wave.
The Iowa wave to the Children’s Hospital is one of the best things in College Football! 🏈 @HawkeyeFootballpic.twitter.com/m4npDSzHcH
— Becker Sports (@beckersportsnet) September 13, 2026
For most Iowa fans, “The Wave” is a special tradition. For Telander, it’s a full-circle moment.
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