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BC's Herzlich Beats Cancer, Returns to Practice
- Author: Min-Q Kim
- Posted on: Friday January 22, 2010 at 9:00 AM
- Filed under: sports, mark herzlich, boston college, disney spirit award, ewing's sarcoma, uplifting athletes, exclusive
For the first time in a year, Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich hit the football field with his teammates, running drills that he has, no doubt, run thousands of times before. Given what he's been through in the past year, however, practice has probably never felt so perfect.
(Photo: Elise Amendola/AP)
Herzlich was the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year, and well on his way to a lucrative NFL career, when he was blindsided with the news that he had cancer: Ewing's Sarcoma, to be exact, a rare form of cancer that affects bone or soft tissue. He spent 2009 battling his disease both in body and spirit. The radiation and chemotherapy treated his leg; traveling around the country with his story raised awareness and inspired people to join his fight.
Herzlich (in red) received an honorary jersey from Notre Dame, along with a check to benefit Mark's cause. (photo via NotreDameFanSite)
According to ESPN, Herzlig has helped raise about $200,000 through "Uplifting Athletes," which works with college athletes to raise awareness of rare diseases. For his efforts, he was recognized with the Disney Spirit Award.
"I like this being part of me," he said. "It's something that's exciting, in that I get to be able to help other people."
Being sidelined by his disease did not stop Herzlich from supporting his teammates. (AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper)
Mark was honored with the Disney Spirit Award at the ESPNU College Football Awards ceremony. (Getty)
These days, it's back to the business of getting on the field and winning football games. And you know, we're finding it difficult to bet against him.
(Getty)
