Alex Becker
Extremely sad news out of the NFL as one of the brightest rookie talents has recently announced that he has been diagnosed with cancer.
Houston Texans’ rookie wide receiver John Metchie III revealed Sunday that he has been diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia (APL) and will miss the entire upcoming season. In a statement posted by the Texans yesterday, Metchie discussed his condition saying “recently I was diagnosed with APL, the most curable form of Leukemia. I am currently receiving great medical care, am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time.”
The former Crimson Tide star will receive treatment at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston Texas and is thankfully expected to make a full recovery.
Metchie was one of the top wide receivers in the country last season when he finished his college career at Alabama. After recording 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns last season, Metchie was drafted 44th overall after the Texans traded up with the Cleveland Browns, giving away three draft picks in return.
This is not the first health problem Metchie has encountered in his career. Back in high school, Metchie was diagnosed with a slightly enlarged heart. More recently, Metchie tore his ACL in the SEC Championship game at the end of last season, though was initially expected to be ready to play by the start of the season.
Many NFL players, coaches, and fans have shown support for Metchie over social media, including his former Alabama coach Nick Saban who posted to Twitter to say the Crimson Tide will be with him “every step of the way.”
Here’s to hoping Metchie makes a speedy recovery and comes back just as lethal and dominant as before. Prayers up.
