RENTON — After missing his first two NFL seasons with knee injuries, Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams is now facing his biggest challenge yet.
The Seahawks announced Monday that the former fifth-round pick from Australia will undergo kidney surgery following a diagnosis of papillary type 2 cancer. Williams, 24, was diagnosed last week and will have surgery in Seattle. Williams’ agent, Rick Smith, said via email that more will be known about William’s prognosis following surgery.
“Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this,” Williams said in a statement released by the team. “I am going to focus on my health and fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal. Thank you for your thoughts and support. Go Hawks!”
Williams also posted a message on Twitter and Instagram not long after the Seahawks announced the news, quoting Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger: “Fire is the test of gold; adversity, of strong men. Appreciate the support from all over the world! Ready for what’s coming. Recovery is up next. #MonstarStrong”
Seahawks general manager John Schneider said in a statement, “Jesse is an extraordinarily tough individual who has overcome a great deal in his life and we will support him in any way possible. He is in our thoughts and prayers.”
According to New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, papillary cancer makes up 10 to 15 percent of cases of kidney cancer: “Papillary carcinomas can develop as individual or multiple tumors, appearing either in the same kidney or both kidneys. … Type 1 are more common and usually grow slowly. Type 2 papillary tumors represent more than one category of disease, but, as a group, are much more aggressive and may follow an unpredictable growth pattern.”
Williams, who starred at Alabama before coming to Seattle as a fifth-round pick in 2013, spent all of the past two seasons on injured reserve with knee injuries. Seattle released him then re-signed him this offseason, a procedural move to help protect them financially if another injury occurs, and Williams was hoping to come back and finally enjoy a healthy NFL season.
Seahawks sign Foxx
The Seahawks signed receiver Deshon Foxx Monday, adding another undrafted rookie who had participated in rookie minicamp on a tryout basis earlier this month. He replaces running back Demitrius Bronson, who was waived/injured with a hamstring injury. If Bronson, who spent much of last season on Seattle’s practice squad, clears waivers Tuesday, he will revert to injured reserve and not count against Seattle’s 90-man roster limit.
Foxx, who is listed at 5-10, 177 pounds, played at Connecticut, starting 23 games in his career, catching 73 passes for 918 yards and three touchdowns. Foxx, who recorded a 4.46-second 40-yard dash at his pro day, also had 277 rushing yards in his UConn career on 40 carries, including a 68-yard touchdown run.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com
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