Fans of White House High School football know the iconic “B.D.P.” chant, which stands for Blue Devil Pride.

This season, the team has a new rallying cry born out of love and support for one of its own: “J.A.M. on three! One, two, three, J.A.M.!”

These initials stand for Jennifer Ann Marion, the Blue Devils’ administrative assistant, second mom, and football fanatic who’s in a fight far greater than getting the next first down. Jennifer is battling breast cancer.

“J.A.M. is in tribute to how much Jennifer means to our team and our community,” says White House Football Head Coach Ryan Hamilton. “We’re going to be there for her just like she’s been there for us. She’s the glue that holds us together.”

After feeling a lump in her right breast during a self-examination, the mother of three was diagnosed with Stage 3B Triple Negative cancer on May 23. It was startling news for Jennifer, husband Lee, and their children, Shelby, Gracie, and George.

“Stage 3B can be a little more challenging to treat, and there’s a 77 percent chance of reoccurrence if you don’t proactively start treating right away,” says Jennifer. “I’m going through chemotherapy now, and after that we’ll look at surgery and possibly radiation. The good news is it’s treatable, and with the amazing support of my family and this community, I’m going to fight it tooth and nail.”

The outpouring of love was evident as Jennifer began chemotherapy.

Her first four treatments were what’s known as “The Red Devil,” a highly taxing procedure utilizing Doxorubicin, one of the strongest chemotherapy drugs for breast cancer ever invented. Before the last Red Devil, Jennifer received a jar containing notes of encouragement from White House football players and athletes representing other sports at the school.

School athletic trainer Taylor Carter orchestrated the collection of these, and there ended up being more than 100 handwritten, heartfelt notes, examples of which included:

“I hope you get well soon. You’re in God’s hands. I love you!”

“We are all with you! We love you and need you.”

“Get well soon. We are playing for you. Even through what’s happening, you showing up is an inspiration to all of us.”

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“We all love and miss you! You make our school and football team better.”

“You’ll get through this! Show Red Devil what it’s like to be a Blue Devil!”

Many around the community are supporting Jennifer by wearing “Team J.A.M.” bracelets and t-shirts with “One Team. One family. One fight.” on the front and “Team J.A.M.” plus a pink ribbon on the back. Through sales of the t-shirts in addition to other donations, Ink ‘n Screens presented the Marion family with a check for $4,083.

“We are truly blessed,” says Jennifer. “Between White House and other people in Sumner and Robertson Counties, it’s nice to know how many people are surrounding us with love and praying for us. It’s the very definition of what community is all about.”

In the midst of the fight of her life, Jennifer has the remarkable ability to see the good.

“It’s been crazy to hear stories from people saying they saw someone wearing a Team J.A.M. bracelet at church or around town and started talking because they asked how they knew me,” she explains. “They might have never said a word to each other before, but something as simple as a bracelet made them form a sort of bond.”

Thanks to ESPN, Jennifer now has people from across the nation praying for her, too.

During the “College Gameday” episode that aired from Nashville before the Tennessee-Virginia college football game, ESPN’s Marty Smith interviewed Jennifer and praised her for the bravery she’s displaying in her cancer journey. With a hug, he presented Jennifer and her family with Club Level tickets for the game.

Lee was in on the covert operation and admits to telling a couple of “white lies” leading up to the event.

“Marty had reached out to UT looking for someone going through a tough time that he could give tickets to, be a bright light for the family,” says Lee, who leads the service team at Roger Denton Heating & Cooling. “We had met a couple who works for UT while on vacation, and they shared our story. Marty reached out to me by text and said, ‘I have tickets I want to give you and your family. I’d rather Jennifer not know about it.’”

From day one of the diagnosis, Lee is steadfast that God has had His hand on Jennifer and the Marion family.

“We’ve all continued to see it’s all part of a greater plan,” he says. “Seeing those kids on the team and the community wrap their arms around us has been amazing and humbling at the same time.

“We’ve always been on the opposite end of that spectrum trying to help others in need.”

And, he seen his wife’s toughness shine through.

“She doesn’t have to get up at 5 a.m. on summer mornings and be at practice to make sure all the paperwork is done and all the kids have proper equipment, but that’s how she’s geared,” Lee says. “It’s had its challenges, sure, but she’s tried to find the positive in all of it, even on the really tough days.”

Though she may not be on the sidelines this season, Jennifer still makes it to each White House home football game. She and Lee set up near the fence and settle in their folding chairs to take in the action.

When she hears the familiar “J.A.M. on three! One, two, three, J.A.M.” chant, the flood of emotions and gratitude surfaces.

“It brings me to tears every time. It’s one of those God winks that lets me know ‘you’ve got this.’”