During the draft and free agency process, players are poked, prodded, tested, measured, and evaluated. Occasionally, preexisting or unknown injuries come to light, often affecting the player’s NFL stock and potential employability.
Sometimes, however, something worse is discovered. In the case of Foster Moreau, the former Las Vegas Raider tight end now a much sought after free agent, the physical after his meeting with the New Orleans Saints revealed a scary diagnosis that has prompted Moreau to step away for a while and work on his health. Fox News reports:
Free agent tight end Foster Moreau announced that he has Hodgkin lymphoma and will be stepping away from the NFL.
The 25-year-old, who spent the past four seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, took to Twitter to reveal he received his cancer diagnosis following a physical.
As free agency has heated up, Moreau was expected to be much sought-after. The young tight end has flashed in his first few years with the Raiders, and was expected to command a big contract from his new team.
Hodgkins lymphoma is treatable, and NFL players have beaten the disease and resumed their careers. Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs, and James Connor of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals have both returned to play at high levels. Moreau released a statement via his social media. Fox News continued:
“Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this free agency period has been life changing for me,” Moreau wrote. “During a routine physical conducted by the Saints’ medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football … at this time to fight a new opponent: Cancer.
“I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me. There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken without hundreds of people lighting the path before me, and I will continue to seek their guidance.”
Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this Free Agency period has been life changing for me. During a routine physical conducted by the Saint’s medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football (1/3)
— Foster Moreau (@fhmoreau) March 22, 2023
Hodgkins lymphoma affects the lymphatic system’s ability to fight germs, but according to the Mayo Clinic has an 89 percent survival rate. Of course, there are many factors involved, such as the age of the patient and overall physical health. Fox News concluded:
The Raiders selected Moreau in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. The former LSU standout has 1,107 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in his career.
He had a career-high 33 receptions last season and was officially designated a free agent at the start of the NFL’s new league year.
Considering Moreau will have access to top-notch health care and is only 26 and in fantastic shape, a full recovery should be expected. Moreau should be able to resume his playing career provided he makes a full recovery. The fourth year player has gotten better each season of his career and expected to command a nice payday. It is unclear how he will move forward since he does not have a team.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Foster Moreau and his family, and hopefully after a full recovery we can see him back on the gridiron in 2024.
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