Defensive end Nikhil Webb Walker told his Colorado football teammates this week that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer in the body’s lymphatic system.
As documented in a Well Off Media YouTube video posted Friday, Webb Walker explained that he woke up with a bump on his chest one morning before turning to Colorado’s training staff.
“I went to the trainers and they had me do a bunch of tests, a biopsy, a surgery,” Webb Walker told the team. “They cut my bump open, they put me to sleep and they sent it to get tested. I got up here yesterday at 7:30 or 8 p.m., my mom and the doc. He was like, ‘You got lymphoma and need to do a round of chemo (chemotherapy) just to get rid of it, but it’s very treatable.'”
The New Mexico State transfer last played on Sept. 28 in Colorado’s win at UCF. On Oct. 18, Webb Walker posted on X that he underwent a successful surgery.
After revealing his diagnosis, Webb Walker shared he had been keeping the situation private to avoid being a distraction. He then thanked his teammates for keeping his spirits up.
“Being here helped me with the whole process and really deal with it,” Webb Walker said. “I want to say thank you all boys because you’ve all made it easier on me. Even though it’s tough and I never thought this would happen to me, it’s the Lord’s way and it’s His plan.”
Colorado head coach Deion Sanders closed the emotional announcement by offering his support.
“What you’re dealing with is real and the way and you’ve dealt with it has been just admirable,” Sanders told Webb Walker. “We love you, we appreciate you, we’re here for you… We want to keep in contact with you because I know you’re going to go to the crib (home) and come back and forth.”
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