I would like to take this time and space to thank my family and friends for their support and well wishes during my recent stint with Prostate Cancer.
I was diagnosed earlier this year that I had some cells in my prostate that were cancerous. There was no immediate timetable to decide a definitive course of action. There were a couple of (family oriented) things on my calendar that I wanted to complete before going through any form of treatment. My family and I were fortunate to be able to move at our own pace because the cancer was caught early. There were several routes we could have taken but as a family we thought that undergoing Robotic Surgery was our best option. To remove the prostate and be done was that organ once and for all was our choice. It’s good to know that the threat of cancer in that area has been diminished significantly.
I’ve been a proud advocate for men’s health screenings for over 35 years. I’ve been “blowing the horn” to alert men (especially black men and men of color) to get checked for prostate cancer on a yearly basis. Unfortunately, too many men feel that getting checked is either beneath them or they’re afraid of what might be found. What I just experienced to become “cancer free” is exactly why I’ve been doing my best to deliver the message. If detected early the cancer is very treatable. I also try to emphasize to men to please get checked if not for themselves, for the people who love them, their wife/significant others, their kids and family members. Take care of themselves to be around for others.
Through the experiences I went through as an athlete or just as an individual I always try my best to learn a lesson. What I learned from this cancer experience is this:
- I played 21 years of football including high school, college and professionally.
- As a pro football player with the New York Football Giants, I was a Captain 10 of my 13 seasons.
- Of the more than 5000 players to ever play for the New York Football Giants, I have been considered the 7th greatest player to have played with that team.
- Less than 1% of former professional football players are inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of the now 382 members of the Hall of Fame I am the 231st Former Player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
- My wife and I have worked closely with the Tom Coughlin Jay Fund to raise funds to support families whose kids have battled cancer.
I say all of this to accentuate this point (and please excuse my language).
Cancer does not give Jack “Shit”
who you are and what you’ve done!!!
Cancer does not care nor discriminate!