Posted on 05/02/2008 7:47:27 AM PDT by SmithL
University of Tennessee men's basketball star Chris Lofton didn't want to make any excuses for his slump the first half of this past season.
But cancer isn't an excuse - it's a reason.
The senior All-American guard told the News Sentinel on Thursday that he underwent four weeks of radiation treatment after being diagnosed with testicular cancer last March.
Tears came to his eyes when discussing his battle with cancer. Lofton said he has made a full recovery, but he acknowledged that last spring's treatment affected his offseason training regimen with the Vols. His statistics show it took him half the season to catch up.
"When I first heard that word, 'cancer,' I thought I was going to die," said Lofton, whose cancer was detected through an NCAA-mandated random drug test following the Vols' 121-86 victory over Long Beach State on March 16, 2007.
The results of the drug test were positive; UT officials were informed that if Lofton wasn't using drugs, the positive result could be a sign of cancer.
More tests followed, and Lofton underwent surgery on March 28 to have the cancer removed. Four weeks of radiation treatment followed, from late April into May.
"The radiation treatment was the toughest part,'' Lofton said. "I didn't feel like doing anything, I felt tired.
"When I played in the Rocky Top League (in June), it was the first time I picked up a ball since our (NCAA Sweet 16) loss to Ohio State."
Lofton put up 50 points in his first summer league game, but when he went to the Pan American Games tryouts later that month, his shots weren't falling so easily.
"I just wasn't myself,'' said Lofton, who failed to make the team.
(Excerpt) Read more at knoxnews.com ...
Guy never made one excuse during the season. I am now his biggest fan.
You know that we bleed blue, but I am so sorry for this young man.
Anyone who maintains their privacy and dignity is a class act against these odds gets major respect.....and he’s still a hell of a ball player.
You should of heard the trash talk on sports radio this kid and Coach Bruce Pearl had to put up with.....egg, meet face....
I hope Chris is doing well. A gifted ball player and obviously a fine young man.
Very first I’ve ever heard of this being picked up with a drug test. Talk about unintended consequences. Testicular cancer is a disease of young men - I’ve known a number of guys who’ve battled this. At least 3 that I can think of right off the top of my head. Tough thing to go through at any age, but not the type of thing the average teenager or young twenty-something expects to have to deal with.
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