Kansas City Chiefs fans and NFL fans everywhere were shocked and saddened to learn today that safety Eric Berry has been moved to the NFL’s non-football injury list and could be facing a battle with lymphoma.
This is obviously horrible news that goes way beyond football.
The news of something amiss hit when Adam Schefter tweeted the following:
Surprise of the day: Chiefs put S Eric Berry on NFI - no -football Illness, which means he is out for the year, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 24, 2014
Moments later at a Monday press conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid and trainer Rick Burkolder explained what was going on with Berry.
Berry reportedly had some chest discomfort following the game on Thursday vs. the Oakland Raiders and reported it to the team trainers. The team did x-rays and am MRI on Friday afternoon. The results were that Berry had a mass in his chest, on the right side. On Saturday, Berry went though some more extensive testing and the medical team is leaning toward a possible diagnosis of lymphoma. Burkholder said the medical team is about 75% of the way through the testing process so nothing official and no specifics can be passed along as far as stage and treatment plan.
Berry is a three-time Pro Bowler. He has recorded 289 tackles, eight interceptions and two forced fumbles since entering the league as a first-round draft pick with the Chiefs in 2010. Berry has started five games for the Chiefs this season and missed some time earlier this year with an ankle injury.
Berry will likely be replaced at safety by Ron Parker, who filled in admirably for Berry earlier this season. Parker has been playing CB since Berry returned to the lineup.
This is a good reminder that cancer can strike any person at any age. We’re accustom to seeing our favorite NFL players performing heroically on the field so it can be especially startling to see a young man as strong and as healthy as Berry be diagnosed with this awful disease.
I can speak for us all here at Arrowhead Addict and FanSided when I say we have Eric and his family in our thoughts and prayers and wish him a speedy recovery. We will have more as this story develops.