Eric Berry says he cried after workouts during treatment
On Wednesday afternoon, Eric Berry spoke to the media about his recovery from Hodgkin’s Lymphoma over the past seven months. The Kansas City Chiefs strong safety was cleared last night for coming back to practice, and told his amazing story to the masses.
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Berry opened up by thanking God with a wide smile on his face, flanked by his parents. He then gave an opening statement before fielding questions from the hoard of reporters.Berry also went out to speak about his teammates including Justin Houston, who visited Berry to simply sit with him.
Berry also thanked his nurses, and specifically pointed out Nurse Stephanie as the “real MVP.”
Here are some of the more powerful quotes about Berry’s fight, which has led him to this point.
"“It was to the point where I had to set goals of getting out of bed.”"
For those of us who have never gone through a terrible thing such as cancer, it is impossible to comprehend a struggle when it comes to getting out of bed. Berry then talked about the people sitting next to him at the press conference.
"“It was a tough process but I had a great support system. I had my mom and dad in the trenches with me, day in and day out.”"
If this next quote doesn’t make you grab for the tissues, nothing ever will.
"“I was training while doing chemo. During the time I would work out, I would end up crying after the workout because I couldn’t be believe I was working out, but I couldn’t believe how hard it was.”"
How did Chemo makes Berry feel throughout the process?
"“It literally feels like you are dying.”"
Then there was the consistent fear of passing away in his sleep.
"“I was at a loss for words, I was just so excited … there were many times where I didn’t know if I would wake up tomorrow. I would be scared to go to sleep, and then I was like forget it. If I don’t wake up, then I don’t wake up.”"
Here are some tweets from men in the room:
Eric Berry: "I want to thank God first." pic.twitter.com/O3l5GinEQh
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) July 29, 2015
Eric Berry with father James and mother Carol pic.twitter.com/Qa5SnWSlTm
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) July 29, 2015
Berry: “The two things I could control is my attitude is my effort. You can’t look too far ahead."
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2015
"You have to have a positive mindset," Eric Berry. "It doesn't happen overnight."
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) July 29, 2015
QB Alex Smith, Chiefs president Mark Donovan, GM John Dorsey, HC Andy Reid and Berry's parents are all on hand for presser.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 29, 2015
Berry said Justin Houston, Sean Smith stayed in contact with him. Also thanked a bunch of other #Chiefs for checking on him regularly.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2015
Berry: I still feel I have work to do. This is just a checkpoint
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) July 29, 2015
Berry on the support shown by players, coaches and fans: "The whole NFL family came together and it meant a lot to me."
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) July 29, 2015
Berry says one of his goals used to be five pushups a day. For him to be at this point, on the field, means a lot.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2015
Berry’s family believes in the power of positivity energy. Mom printed out several notes on the door of the house stressing positive energy.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2015
“I’m not really big on meetings,” Berry joked.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 29, 2015
Big smile on Andy Reid at that.
“Sometimes you feel like you just can’t do it anymore, but you have to keep fighting.” - Eric Berry
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 29, 2015
Berry said the Raiders game was the first time he didn’t feel like playing football his whole life. He knew something was wrong.
— RIP Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) July 29, 2015
After Berry was cancer free, the doctors called head trainer Rick Burkholder.
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) July 29, 2015
“Hey, he’s all yours,” they said.
"To see him out there today, it was touching," Eric Berry's dad on watching his son practice Wednesday at #ChiefsCamp
— Chiefs Reporter (@ChiefsReporter) July 29, 2015
Welcome back, Eric.