In a surprising statement, the Houston Texans announced that rookie wide receiver John Metchie III was diagnosed with leukemia and is not expected to play this season.
The 44th overall pick expressed his desire to get back on the field in a statement saying, “Recently I was diagnosed with APL (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia), 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. As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season. My main focus will be on my health and recovery. Thank you in advance for your support and well-wishes. I cannot wait to come back stronger than ever. God bless.”
Metchie had been one of the most intriguing prospects for the past few years. A standout receiver at the University of Alabama, he had 96 catches for 1,1142 yards and eight touchdowns for the Crimson Tide before tearing his ACL in the SEC Championship game.
Alabama coach Nick Saban released a statement in support of Metchie saying, “John has overcome every challenge placed in front of him in his life with toughness and determination, and we are behind him every step of the way in his fight against Leukemia,” he wrote in a statement on Twitter. “It’s a blessing that he is in a city known for great care and with an organization, in the Houston Texans, who will be with him throughout this journey.”
Acute promyelocytic leukemia develops in about 600 to 800 individuals each year in the U.S., usually in adults around the age of 40. Although it requires aggressive treatment, it is a very treatable cancer, with about a 90% survival rate after 10 years. It only has a reported 10% induction mortality rate and chances of relapse are only about 20%.
