Mean conservative Bill Belichick was willing to invest in this young man when the rest of the league turned their backs.
When Marcus Cannon, an otherwise healthy 23-year-old athlete, was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma prior to the NFL Draft, the massive offensive lineman, whom many observers thought could be a high pick, saw his stock plummet.
Teams wouldn’t touch him on day one or two of the league’s annual selection meeting.
Thirty-one teams should be hanging their heads in shame.
On the third day, though, the Patriots decided he was worth the investment. They took him in the fifth round, knowing full well that extensive chemotherapy sessions would be needed to help him overcome this treatable form of cancer.
Six months later, Cannon donned his Patriots uniform and helmet for the first time and headed out to the practice field with his New England teammates.
We always see these segments on some player’s “adversity”. Fighting off cancer is some serious adversity and finding a team that is willing to work within your recovery schedule, no matter how long it takes: priceless.
Great story! One more reason to be a Patriot’s fan!
You know, I’ll have to take a second look at being a Pats fan.
That’s great! I’m still a Lions fan, but perhaps I won’t boo the Patriots as loudly.
Armstrong won seven Tours after battling cancer. There are over 70 forms of this cancer and outcomes and treatments vary widely. I wish him all the best and to never give up. I received the last rites for medical reasons three times in my life with the first time in 1962. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger in character. MLK paraphrased: Judge a man by the strength of his character and what that enables him to do.