Community Rallies Around Artist Behind Minnesota’s Viral “Naz Reid” Tattoos After Brain Tumor Diagnosis

The story of JC Stroebel, a tattoo artist at Beloved Studios in Roseville, has become a striking example of community solidarity in the Twin Cities, where sports fandom, personal vulnerability, and collective care have converged in an unexpected way.

Stroebel rose to national attention during the Minnesota Timberwolves’ 2024 playoff run after offering $20 tattoos bearing the name of Timberwolves center Naz Reid. What began as a spontaneous social media post quickly turned into a cultural phenomenon. Now, less than two years later, the same community that embraced his art has raised more than $35,000 to support him following a serious brain tumor diagnosis.

From Playoff Chant to Permanent Ink

In May 2024, Stroebel, a lifelong Timberwolves fan, posted what he later described as a “willy nilly” offer to tattoo the words “Naz Reid” on anyone willing to pay $20. The timing coincided with the Timberwolves’ deep playoff push and the growing mythology around Reid, an undrafted player who became a cornerstone of the team and later earned NBA Sixth Man of the Year honors.

The response exceeded all expectations. Over several weeks, Stroebel and fellow artist Jesse George tattooed the phrase on more than 500 fans. Those fans ranged in age from college students to an 82 year old grandmother. For many, the tattoos symbolized more than a player’s name. They became a shared mantra of belief, resilience, and joy during a season that energized Minnesota basketball culture.

Local and national media documented the lines that formed outside Beloved Studios, capturing a moment when humor, devotion, and civic identity blended into something uniquely Minnesotan.

A Sudden Medical Crisis

In early December 2025, Stroebel’s life took a dramatic turn. On December 6, he began experiencing what he initially believed was a severe migraine. As symptoms worsened, he sought medical care. Imaging performed at a local hospital revealed a brain tumor roughly the size of a golf ball.

Doctors have indicated the tumor is suspected to be a grade three or grade four glioma. Stroebel is scheduled to undergo major brain surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester on December 30, 2025. Further treatment decisions will depend on surgical outcomes and pathology results.

The Wolf Pack Responds

As news of the diagnosis spread, members of the informal “Wolf Pack”, the community of fans who received the $20 tattoos, mobilized quickly. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help cover medical bills, travel costs associated with treatment at the Mayo Clinic, and household expenses during recovery.

Stroebel is self employed and does not have paid sick leave. His wife, Annie, a special education teacher, is stepping away from her job to serve as his primary caregiver. The couple has two young sons, ages three years and six months.

Within days, donations surged past $35,000, surpassing initial fundraising goals. Messages of support have filled the page, many echoing a familiar phrase adapted from the original chant: “Two words: Full recovery.”

More Than a Sports Story

The rapid outpouring of support underscores why this story has resonated so deeply. The “Naz Reid” tattoos were never only about basketball. They reflected a community finding joy, connection, and shared identity during a rare moment of collective optimism.

Now, that same spirit is being redirected toward one of its own. In the midst of fear and uncertainty, Minnesota fans have transformed a viral slogan into tangible support, reminding Stroebel and his family that they are not facing this fight alone.

For MinneapoliMedia, the story stands as a testament to how local culture, when rooted in genuine human connection, can become a powerful force for care and solidarity when it matters most.

MinneapoliMedia