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John Driskell Hopkins, founding guitarist of the Zac Brown Band, sang the national anthem at the Cincinnati Reds game on June 2, 2026, as part of MLB’s Lou Gehrig Day celebration—a moment that capped a day dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS research.
Quick Facts
- Hopkins was diagnosed with ALS in December 2021 and continues to perform and advocate for the disease.
- The Hop on a Cure Foundation has raised more than $5 million for ALS research since its founding.
- Lou Gehrig Day is celebrated annually on June 2 across Major League Baseball to honor the legendary player and raise ALS awareness.
- Hopkins performed a pre-game concert and Q&A session for people living with ALS and their families at Great American Ball Park.
A Day of Hope and Community at Great American Ball Park
The Cincinnati Reds hosted their annual Lou Gehrig Day celebration on June 2, bringing together more than 1,000 fans from ALS organizations to honor those affected by the disease. John Driskell Hopkins, known to fans as “Hop,” was the centerpiece of the day’s festivities. The Zac Brown Band founding member, who has lived with ALS for more than four years, performed an intimate concert for patients and families in the Fan Zone before the game.
“I am so very proud of each and every one of you that doesn’t give up,” Hopkins told the crowd, speaking from his own experience battling the neurodegenerative disease. Hopkins said his breathing remains good and his appetite strong, adding with characteristic humor, “I’m too blessed to be depressed.” His message of resilience resonated throughout the ballpark as the community gathered to support one another.
John Driskell Hopkins sings national anthem at Cincinnati Reds game
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From Diagnosis to Advocacy: Hopkins’ ALS Journey
Hopkins received his ALS diagnosis in December 2021, a moment that could have ended his music career. Instead, he and his wife, Jennifer, founded the Hop on a Cure Foundation, which has become a driving force in the fight against the disease. In the past year alone, the foundation raised more than $5 million for ALS research and awareness—a testament to Hopkins’ determination to turn his diagnosis into a mission.
Despite the progression of the disease, Hopkins continues to tour and perform with the Zac Brown Band. His presence at the Reds game demonstrated that living with ALS doesn’t mean stepping away from the things you love. Before singing the national anthem, he participated in a Q&A session with fans, sharing his story and encouraging others facing similar battles to keep fighting for a cure.
A Moment of Connection for the ALS Community
Among those touched by the day was Hannah Broermann of Okeana, Ohio, a 27-year-old diagnosed with ALS. Broermann and her husband, Logan, are longtime Zac Brown Band fans—their wedding featured the band’s music as their first dance song. Meeting Hopkins was deeply meaningful for her. “We love him and the Zac Brown Band,” she said. “It was awesome.”
Later that evening, Broermann threw out the ceremonial first pitch, with her family helping her from her wheelchair and Logan waiting behind home plate to catch the ball. The moment exemplified the support systems that sustain people through their ALS journey. For Broermann, her family’s immediate response when learning about the Lou Gehrig Day event—”Alright, where do we buy tickets? What’s the plan?”—showed the kind of unconditional backing that Hopkins emphasized throughout the day.
The night concluded with Hopkins singing the national anthem before the Reds took the field, a fitting close to a day meant to honor, remember, and support those touched by ALS. While there is still no cure for the disease, nights like Lou Gehrig Day help bring the ALS community together and remind families they are not alone in their fight.
Sources
- WLWT — Reporting on Hopkins’ performance, pre-game concert, and Hannah Broermann’s first pitch at the Reds Lou Gehrig Day event on June 2, 2026.
- WKRC (Local 12) — Coverage of Hopkins’ ALS diagnosis, Hop on a Cure Foundation fundraising, and his pre-game Q&A and national anthem performance.
- MLB.com — Video confirmation of Hopkins singing the national anthem on June 2, 2026.
- Rolling Stone — Background on Hopkins’ ALS diagnosis and his continued touring with the Zac Brown Band.
- Billboard — Documentation of Hopkins’ December 2021 ALS diagnosis and the founding of Hop on a Cure.
