NFL player's incredible return after beating cancer
Less than one month after he announced that his Hodgkin lymphoma was in remission, Houston Texans safety Andre Hal is ready to step back onto the field.
The Texans activated Hal off of the Injured Reserve/Non-Football Illness list on Saturday, too, just three days after he returned to practice full time.
“I knew I was going to play (again),” Hal told ESPN.
“I just didn’t know when. That’s why I never stopped coming. I never stopped coming to practice, I never stopped working out. I just had a feeling that I was going to play again.”
Hal revealed that he was in remission in September, less than four months after he announced he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma — a type of cancer that attacks the lymphatic system.
Hal first realised something was wrong during spring OTA practices when he started experiencing blurry vision.
An MRI soon after discovered the cancer in his armpit and stomach.
Instead of chemotherapy, the 26-year-old took his treatment into his own hands shortly after the diagnosis.
After four weeks of taking medication, he turned to acupuncture, yoga and meditation. He also started taking high-doses of vitamin C through an IV, cut down on alcohol and started spending more time with his family.
Hal is in his fifth season with the Texans, who drafted him in the seventh round of the 2014 NFL draft. He recorded 71 tackles and three interceptions last season, starting all 16 games.
While he may not see a lot of action when the Texans take on the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon, Houston coach Bill O’Brien said Hal hasn’t missed a beat throughout his cancer battle.
“He worked very hard,” O’Brien told ESPN.
“Did a really good job. He was in all the meetings, let alone the weight room work and the field work. He really stayed on top of the X’s and O’s.
“He’s that type of guy. He’s a great teammate. He’s a tremendous guy.”