This past week, Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor according to the Associated Press. The procedure reportedly went well, and Sanchez thanked the support of fans. A native of Chico, California, Sanchez has played the last four seasons with the Colts. In 2020, he has had 62 kickoffs for 3878 yards, and 31 punts for 1464 yards. Here are five other NFL players who have battled cancer in recent years.
5) Mark Herzlich–New York Giants–The seven-year linebacker who played for the New York Giants from 2011 to 2017, was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, in 2009 while playing for Boston College. In 88 NFL games, Herzlich had 173 combined tackles, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one sack. He was also on the Giants team that beat the New England Patriots 21-17 in 2012.
4) Titus Davis–Chicago Bears–The undrafted wide receiver from Central Michigan never played a NFL game, but spent time in training camp and the practice squads with the San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears from 2015 to 2017, before dying of kidney cancer on November 11, 2020, at the age of 27. Titus Davis was the older brother of Tennessee Titans wide receiver Corey Davis.
3) Trent Williams–San Francisco 49ers–The 10th-year offensive tackle is in his first year in San Francisco, after nine seasons with Washington from 2010 to 2019. In April of 2019, Williams had surgery to remove a cancerous growth. According to Les Carpenter of the Washington Post, the growth was first found in 2013, and Williams now claims the Washington Football Team doctors did not believe the growth on his head was serious.
2) Eric Berry–Kansas City Chiefs–The five-time Pro Bowl safety played nine seasons with the Chiefs from 2010 to 2018. A three-time first-team All-Pro, Berry was diagnosed with cancer on Hodgkin’s lymphoma on December 8, 2014. He had to end his 2014 NFL season early, but in 2015 was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year (61 tackles, two interceptions). In 89 career games, Berry had 445 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 14 interceptions, five touchdowns from interceptions, four forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries.
1) James Conner–Pittsburgh Steelers–The running back from Erie, Pennsylvania, is now in his fourth season with the Steelers. However, while at the University of Pittsburgh in 2015, Conner was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma while rehabbing a torn medial collateral ligament. A Pro Bowler in 2018, that season Conner had 973 yards rushing, 497 yards receiving and 13 total touchdowns. In 2020, Conner has had 145 rushes for 645 yards, and five touchdowns, along with 25 catches for 145 yards. At the present time, Conner is a significant contributor to a Steelers franchise that is the only team undefeated in the NFL at 11 wins, and zero losses.
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