Posted on 05/14/2009 1:20:34 PM PDT by Jersey Republican Biker Chick
Even for relatively diehard fans, it might have been possible to get through the last couple seasons knowing Mark Herzlich only as "the guy with the crazy facepaint," but that would be missing the lead: The 6'4", 240-pound Boston College linebacker was the defensive player of the year in a conference that had six defenders picked in the first two rounds of this year's draft, and might have joined teammate B.J. Raji in the top-10 if he hadn't decided to come back for his senior season at B.C.
Pray today, then, that the football chapter of Herzlich's story isn't closed after the sure-fire All-American disclosed that he's been diagnosed with cancer:
Boston College senior linebacker Mark Herzlich disclosed today that he has been diagnosed with Ewing's Sarcoma, a malignant tumor most often found in bone or soft tissue.
(Excerpt) Read more at rivals.yahoo.com ...
Prayers for the young man as he fights this disease.
Prayers for Mark, as well as his family and friends.
Good Lord. If anyone wonders why BC players wear JM on their jerseys, it’s for Jay MaGillis who died of Leukemia. We play our Spring Football Game in his name. They used to wear 31, but a small minded coach from Syracuse protested a game.
Doesn't leave many other places to hide.
Hope he's OK.
Please add me to the list when you have time. Thanks!!
He seems to have a good attitude at fighting this, that goes a long way.
In years past this type of cancer was almost always treated with amputation (if found in the leg.) Ted Kennedy’s son had a similar cancer and that’s why his leg was amputated.
Now, however, I’m pretty sure amputation is rare, which is a real blessing for the kid’s who get it, especially if they’re athletes like this young man.
Great player, wish Him well!, will pray for him.
From,
Georgia Tech Fan
I am in the NFL scouting business...
Herzlich was seriously considering enter last month’s NFL draft but decided against it at the last minute...he would’ve been a top 12 selection and the second linebacker drafted....he most certainly would’ve been a top ten pick in the 2010 draft...just a terrific prospect...
Ted Kennedy’s son had Osteosarcoma, I believe.
I’ve seen several cases of Ewing’s Sarcoma at work, and amputation is usually the treatment of choice. In fact, when I first started as a RN, I took care of a 3 year old boy that was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma on Christmas Eve, and had a hemi-pelvectomy shortly afterwards, meaning that they amputated his leg all the way up to (and partially including) the hip.
I’ll revise my previous post.
It’s been a while since I worked with Heme/Onc patients, so I did a quick Google search, and according to Mayo Clinic’s website, “Patients with Ewing sarcoma receive a combination of cancer-fighting drugs (chemotherapy) and surgery or radiation. In about 80 percent of Ewing sarcoma cases involving an arm or leg, the limb can be saved.” http://www.mayoclinic.org/ewings-sarcoma/
Don’t know him, but sounds like a great guy. Prayers.
Prayers for his health.
He looks like Bruce Willis from the “Die Hard” movies.
Prayers.
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