Berry out for the year

[Baby Lee]

To those few who are trying to make jokes about this, how about you treat it like it was me or Meatball Dave instead? Hmmm?

But, . . ? ? ?

We LIKE Eric Berry. ;)

[R8RFAN]

Sending prayers out to the Berry family

[PhillyChiefFan]

Still really upset about this. Never met the guy, but loved how he played the game and loved seeing him in Chiefs red. Damn shame if he never plays again, but would rather he lived a long and healthy life than play what amounts to an insignificant game in the grand scheme of life.

Best of luck and prayers #29.

[The Franchise]

http://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nfl/if-cancer-picked-a-fight-with-chiefs-berry-it-picked-on-the-wrong-guy/ar-BBfGkZm

If cancer picked a fight with Chiefs' Berry, it picked on the wrong guy

KANSAS CITY, Mo.*-- Oh, cancer. You just picked a fight with the wrong guy.

Head to YouTube.com, type in the words "Eric Berry," and "hit," and more than 16,000 different videos pop up -- highlight after highlight of the Kansas City Chiefs safety laying out the kind of wood you find in a Home Depot.

There's Berry in college at Tennessee, turning SEC hammers such as Knowshon Moreno and Ben Tate into giant piles of Silly Putty. There's Berry, now wearing No. 29 with the Chiefs, as a rookie in 2010, dropping Philadelphia speedster DeSean Jackson during a preseason collision like the guy was a bad habit. Berry lowers a shoulder, Jackson does the same coming off a screen, and No. 10 gets up kind of woozy; most clips show him leaving the game a short while later.

"I just took a little hit, and there was a sharp pain that went through my back," Jackson told the Philadelphia Inquirer at the time. "It wasn't too serious. They just held me out because it was too close to the regular season."

So lymphoma has a face.

And it's a face that hasn't lost a staring contest yet.

"At first I was in shock with the diagnosis on Saturday and did not even want to miss a game," said a statement released by the Chiefs' All-Pro safety, who Monday night was headed to Atlanta after team officials announced they'd discovered a "mass" on the right side of his chest -- a mass that they suspect is lymphoma. "But*I understand that*right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent. I have great confidence in*the doctors and the plan they are going to put in place for me to win this fight."

The Chiefs (7-4) have a battle on their hands Sunday night, entertaining the division-leading Denver Broncos (8-3) at Arrowhead Stadium.

Eric Berry has a bigger one.

"I've said it once (Monday)," Chiefs coach Andy Reid told reporters late Monday afternoon. "And I'll say it a bunch of times -- that this is about Eric."

Berry felt discomfort in his chest Thursday evening, during a soggy, stunning 24-20 setback at Oakland. An MRI on Friday showed a mass within the right side of the Pro Bowl safety's chest, trainer Rick Burkholder explained at a news conference. Burkholder said doctors were "75 percent" on a definitive diagnosis, but wanted to get him to specialists at Emory to perform a "biopsy on the lymph nodes or the mass."

The Georgia native was placed on the non-football injury list, ending 2014 after six games, a star-crossed campaign for one of the franchise's defensive stars that started with ankle problems and ended in shock.

"You put the Oakland Raiders to the side for this period here, and you put Denver aside for this period here," Reid said. "Football isn't as important as him getting himself better at this present moment. And that's the way the players approached it today and we will move on because that's how life goes. But we will move on with his spirit in hand."

Amen. Amen, amen, amen.

Football is a game -- a livelihood, sure, but a game, nonetheless. This is serious business: Lymphoma is a cancer that develops in the lymph nodes and lymphatic system and can form tumors in the immune system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in which tumors develop from a kind of white blood cell known as lymphocytes, is the most common form (90 percent of cases) of the disease; Hodgkin lymphoma (10 percent of cases) is the other main type.

The five-year survival rate for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, according to the National Cancer Institute, was 69.3 percent from 2004-10. For Hodgkin lymphoma cases tracked over that same period, the survival rate was 85.3 percent.

So the odds are in Berry's favor. The road isn't. Hodgkin lymphoma can be treated with radiotherapy -- whose side-effects can include permanent sunburns, fatigue, diarrhea and hair loss -- but in advanced stages, it needs systemic chemotherapy.

"There were some guys who were obviously shocked by the information," Reid said. "We're really just a microcosm of life, is what we are in this building. And a small family -- maybe a big family, you could say. So you have the support, people standing up, and they work through the emotional part of it, support each other, and most of all, support Eric."

From Twitter, support for No. 29 came from every corner of the Twittersphere -- teammates, former teammates, rivals, and even media:

Of course, perhaps the best word, the final word, came from Burkholder himself:

"I believe that I am in God's hands and I have great peace in that," Berry's statement continued. "I know my coaches and teammates will hold things down here the rest of the season and until I am back running out of the tunnel at Arrowhead. I am so thankful and appreciative of being a part of this franchise and playing in front of the best fans in the NFL. I will be back!"

And nobody doubted it for a minute. Least of all the bodies left in Berry's wake, a chain of tackles that bridge three Pro Bowls.

"He's a beast," Reid told reporters. "And right now, he needs to be a beast."

Some things are bigger than Peyton Manning. Some people, too.

[Omaha]

I talked to my father, who is a retired gastroenterologist who has, however, diagnosed lymphoma many times, told me:

1) It's possibly a benign mass such as a slow growing granuloma or a sarcoid tumor.

That's the best case. If so, Berry might play again.

2) Even in the best case, he will require treatment, and expects they would perform surgery to remove the mass.

3) He wonders why they floated the lymphoma diagnosis. Perhaps they believed that him seeing a lymphoma specialist would get out and people would presume. He says you can't diagnose it from tests. Need to biopsy.

4) If it's lymphoma, he doubts Berry plays again. He says non-hodgkin's lymphoma rarely has a mass, so he presumes it will be hodgkin's lymphoma if it is indeed cancerous.

Rule of thumb is s 70% cure rate.

He also says that in young patients, its more likely to be aggressive, but young patients also will be able to stand rigorous chemo so are more likely to survive BUT,

he also says if it's located in the lung cavity, that's the "bad" type. Also, in most lymphoma cases even if they are cured, they will probably need periodic chemo for the rest of their life---which is why he doubts Berry will play again.

If not curable, they usually can give patients 15 to 17 years of life with treatment.

All of this will depend on the specific type and stage, which you will only know after biopsy.


Good info. My brother & one of my college buddies had hodgkin's lymphoma when they were in high school. They both went through treatment and are now fine. My college buddy even played college football after being treated. They both have to take thyroid medicine for the rest of their lives, but I am hoping Berry's results are similar.

[tooge]

Sheesh man. Go fight this motherfucker #29, and beat it. You are Eric Motherfuckin Berry dammit.

[Dayze]

there are probably only 5 (and that's being generous) players in the NFL that I'm a huge fan of. Berry is one of them. he embodies everything I used to love about the NFL.

sucks big time.

[LOCOChief]

A good friend of mine has had Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

He's stayed alive for the past 15 years but been in and out of chemo with the best doctors in the world.

There's really no simple answer but I would say it's not very likely for him to play again.


The muscle atrophy he'll experience from radiation and chemo will make training upper body difficult and regaining strength almost impossible. This will be the toughest fight he's ever been in.

[TEX]

The muscle atrophy he'll experience from radiation and chemo will make training upper body difficult and regaining strength almost impossible. This will be the toughest fight he's ever been in.


True, BUT he has youth on his side. Deal is sometimes that type of cancer is very aggressive in young people...This certainly might not be the norm but I had a HS teammate who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma our Jr. year. He missed all of senior year but was able to walk on at Texas Tech the following year as a DB and later RB. He's doing well now but has had to take thyroid and other mediation his whole life.

[TEX]

there are probably only 5 (and that's being generous) players in the NFL that I'm a huge fan of. Berry is one of them. he embodies everything I used to love about the NFL.

sucks big time.

This.

[Cheater5]

Many of us have friends or relatives who have had NHL, me included.

My good friend was on a 9 mile run and started coughing up blood, and thought he might have pneumonia. He went to the doctor and got checked out only to find a grapefruit sized mass in the center of his chest. It was pushing his esophagus and heart out of alignment. At 24 years old the dude went through hell and was given a 30% chance to live beyond five years.

That was 21 years ago and he crushed cancer like a grape. Today he is unbelievably fit, and at 45 years old runs three miles in under 19 minutes, deadlifted 465lbs, and benched 300 (he's just over 170lbs). We worked out this past summer and the guy destroys men half his age.

It can be more than just beat. You can continue to thrive.

[beach tribe]

a) hope he gets better

b) no way should the Chiefs pay him $8M in 2015.

....

[LOCOChief]

True, BUT he has youth on his side. Deal is sometimes that type of cancer is very aggressive in young people...This certainly might not be the norm but I had a HS teammate who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma our Jr. year. He missed all of senior year but was able to walk on at Texas Tech the following year as a DB and later RB. He's doing well now but has had to take thyroid and other mediation his whole life.

Wow similar to me. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins as a sophomore went through radiation which caused thyroid cancer about 25 years later and hodkins came back in college. It's a battle and not saying that he can't come back but it'll be tough enough beating the cancer. I've got his jersey and he's getting my prayers.

[jerryforeverrice80]

best wishes to Eric Berry and his family.

[The Franchise]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Unreal: <a href="https://twitter.com/LRiddickESPN">@LRiddickESPN</a> said Eric Berry’s response when told of the mass of his chest was “Can I play?&quot;</p>&mdash; Terez A. Paylor (@TerezPaylor) <a href="https://twitter.com/TerezPaylor/status/537302946489192448">November 25, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[O.city]

Apparently when told of mass in his chest, Berry's first response was

"Can I play".

Tough dude. Damn

[Titty Meat]

I don't care if he ever plays again just hope he beats the damn thing.

[jallmon]

Good luck, Eric. Be a beast. We are all pulling for you.

[penguinz]

Apparently when told of mass in his chest, Berry's first response was

"Can I play".

Tough dude. Damn

It amazes me how so many people act like football players are superhuman.

[chiefzilla1501]

I know this is cheesy. But one of my favorite sports traditions is in Yankee Stadium where they chant out every name in the Yankee lineup. Would be really cool if arrowhead broke out into an Eric berry chant during the game.

[Lonewolf Ed]

I think that would be great! And cheese is great. I want some super sharp cheddar now.

[Hootie]

I know this is cheesy. But one of my favorite sports traditions is in Yankee Stadium where they chant out every name in the Yankee lineup. Would be really cool if arrowhead broke out into an Eric berry chant during the game.

that would be amazing

the guy who runs the SOC account should fire out a tweet telling everyone to start an Eric Berry chat some point in the game before halftime

during a TV timeout or something

[Chiefshrink]

Probably didn't tell anyone until it was off the scale.

Exactly.

[RunKC]

My dear mother is a dosimitrest at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and was a radiation therapist years before that.

She told me that it really depends on where this is but she said if it is lymphoma then he is most likely done with football unfortunately.

Really sad.

[Don Corlemahomes]

My dear mother is a dosimitrest at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and was a radiation therapist years before that.

She told me that it really depends on where this is but she said if it is lymphoma then he is most likely done with football unfortunately.

Really sad.

:shake::(

I'm not a fan of their practices.

[Rain Man]

Many of us have friends or relatives who have had NHL, me included.

My good friend was on a 9 mile run and started coughing up blood, and thought he might have pneumonia. He went to the doctor and got checked out only to find a grapefruit sized mass in the center of his chest. It was pushing his esophagus and heart out of alignment. At 24 years old the dude went through hell and was given a 30% chance to live beyond five years.

That was 21 years ago and he crushed cancer like a grape. Today he is unbelievably fit, and at 45 years old runs three miles in under 19 minutes, deadlifted 465lbs, and benched 300 (he's just over 170lbs). We worked out this past summer and the guy destroys men half his age.

It can be more than just beat. You can continue to thrive.

With numbers like that, he must have a lot of posts here.

[Easy 6]

You shouldn't feel guilty because neither you or me or anyone, even Berry himself, knew.

Now, if you were to say that after today announcement, then yeah, feel guilty. :D

Heh, yeah I hear ya... but I still feel like a bit of heel dogging him out "wheres he been!? he's looking like shit!" etc.

Dudes breathing was probably at 60-70% or something with some big mass in chest, he might've even been in some pain and was just writing it off to football wear and tear. Although its definitely true that people have had some massive tumors and never even known it.

But yeah, gotta admit I felt like crap even though it was only a football and not personal critique.

[Cheater5]

With numbers like that, he must have a lot of posts here.

Don't give two squirts of phuk if you do, or do not believe it dude. I've worked out with him and I've watched him do everything I wrote. Just because someone ain't like you, doesn't mean it can't be.

Have the best day ever.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Wut?

[Marcellus]

Don't give two squirts of phuk if you do, or do not believe it dude. I've worked out with him and I've watched him do everything I wrote. Just because someone ain't like you, doesn't mean it can't be.

Have the best day ever.

I think he was making light of CP's history of posters exaggerating their own exploits not doubting your friends ability.

With numbers like that he had to have posted here right?

[ThaVirus]

With numbers like that, he must have a lot of posts here.


Not sure. We'll need to verify his 9 inch cock and super model wife.

I'm thinking Billay would volunteer for the former.

[TEX]

It amazes me how so many people act like football players are superhuman.

It amazes me how dumb some of the things you say are...If you don't thing Berry's response was bad ass, then you're pretty damn dumb.

[penguinz]

It amazes me how dumb some of the things you say are...If you don't thing Berry's response was bad ass, then you're pretty damn dumb.
It is no where near bad ass. It is what I would hope anyone would say. What do you expect most to do? Give up on life?

[Marcellus]

It is no where near bad ass. It is what I would hope anyone would say. What do you expect most to do? Give up on life?

I think it is funny you believe you can make a comparison as if you are on the level of Eric Berry from a professional or physical standpoint.

[penguinz]

I think it is funny you believe you can make a comparison as if you are on the level of Eric Berry from a professional or physical standpoint.
So if you were diagnosed with a possibility of cancer you would give up on life or continue to try and live your life as you always have as long as you can?

[Marcellus]

So if you were diagnosed with a possibility of cancer you would give up on life or continue to try and live your life as you always have as long as you can?

Nobody said you should give up but you are acting like being Eric Berry who is a 1% of the top of the world athlete saying you will be back isn't bad ass.

It is. He isnt saying he is going back to work at McDonalds or Wendy's.

He is saying he is still going to be a bad ass NFL player.

It is badass, end of story.

[penguinz]

Nobody said you should give up but you are acting like being Eric Berry who is a 1% of the top of the world athlete saying you will be back isn't bad ass.

It is. He isnt saying he is going back to work at McDonalds or Wendy's.

He is saying he is still going to be a bad ass NFL player.

It is badass, end of story.
Read the post I quoted with my original comment. It says nothing about what you just said.

And you are greatly exaggerating saying he is the top 1% of athletes in the world.

He is very good but not great.

[Urc Burry]

Read the post I quoted with my original comment. It says nothing about what you just said.

And you are greatly exaggerating saying he is the top 1% of athletes in the world.

He is very good but not great.

So arguably the best SS in the league is good but not great?

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

LMAO @ Pete

[penguinz]

So arguably the best SS in the league is good but not great?
Not the best in the league. Even if he was that does not make him a top %1 athlete in the world.

[Marcellus]

Not the best in the league. Even if he was that does not make him a top %1 athlete in the world.

I have been working on the math on this and you may be correct, he may only be in the top 3%.

[penguinz]

I have been working on the math on this and you may be correct, he may only be in the top 3%.
He isn't top 5% as an athlete in just the NFL let alone the world.

[Marcellus]

He isn't top 5% as an athlete in just the NFL let alone the world.

If you say so. I am sure your combine numbers are similar.

[penguinz]

If you say so. I am sure your combine numbers are similar.
Has nothing to do with me you. To be in the top 5% in the NFL he has to be a better athlete than 84 other other players. I don't think he is. Too many WR's, RB's and LB's are physical freaks.

[Red Dawg]

My dear mother is a dosimitrest at Cancer Treatment Centers of America and was a radiation therapist years before that.

She told me that it really depends on where this is but she said if it is lymphoma then he is most likely done with football unfortunately.

Really sad.

Oh, he is done for sure. Surgery in his lung area will end it all. Berry is a stud and great person but he can't play after that.

[Urc Burry]

Not the best in the league. Even if he was that does not make him a top %1 athlete in the world.

Who is? I said arguably.. About the only one you can even argue is Kam.. And he benefits from sharing the secondary with the best FS and corner in the league

[Marcellus]

Has nothing to do with me you. To be in the top 5% in the NFL he has to be a better athlete than 84 other other players. I don't think he is. Too many WR's, RB's and LB's are physical freaks.

You apparently have no idea what his numbers were or how he got picked #5 overall.

He is a freak.

[DaneMcCloud]

He is a freak.

Actually, he's not. There are plenty of guys each and every year that churn out similar Combine numbers and actually, those are growing in spades.

What makes Eric Berry such a great football player is his passion, understanding and knowledge of the game. It's not that he's anymore athletically gifted than a Ron Parker or Sean Smith, etc. and so on, it's his mind that sets him apart.

That said, he's likely in better shape physically than 1% of the world's population but that doesn't make him a "freak".

[jonzie04]

idk why you guys are saying berry isnt a freak athlete... he has the 3rd highest vertical jump in the combine for ALL positions in the past 10 years. in addition to running a 4.4, and being ridiculously strong for his size. he benched 2-3 less reps than jadaveon clowney, and kalil mack, and 4 more than anthony barr. the top pass rushers in this years draft.

[DaneMcCloud]

idk why you guys are saying berry isnt a freak athlete... he has the 3rd highest vertical jump in the combine for ALL positions in the past 10 years. in addition to running a 4.4, and being ridiculously strong for his size. he benched 2-3 less reps than jadaveon clowney, and kalil mack, and 4 more than anthony barr. the top pass rushers in this years draft.

Because there are "freak" athletes in every sport. Some people consider basketball players to be the best athletes in the world and if you've ever seen an NBA game courtside, you'd probably agree.

Some people consider NASCAR drivers to be the best athletes in the world due to conditioning necessary to drive a car 200 MPH for 500 miles with little to no breaks.

There a millions of athletic people in this world and Eric Berry is just one of them. No disrespect to him.

[beach tribe]

Sometimes I forget how stupid some of the people here are.

[CoMoChief]

Because there are "freak" athletes in every sport. Some people consider basketball players to be the best athletes in the world and if you've ever seen an NBA game courtside, you'd probably agree.

Some people consider NASCAR drivers to be the best athletes in the world due to conditioning necessary to drive a car 200 MPH for 500 miles with little to no breaks.

There a millions of athletic people in this world and Eric Berry is just one of them. No disrespect to him.

I'm not implying that you agree/disagree but those people are morons. 50 yr old drivers can compete and win in NASCAR "events" w/ no problem. It requires zero athletic skill...HOWEVER, you have to train/condition your body to take on the physical drain it puts on your body. That's not being athletic though. Granted a good majority of them (drivers) are in fair-good shape. Not too many fat assed drivers out there. But again, driving NASCAR does not equal or have anything to do w/ athleticism. I met Carl Edwards back in 2004 at a wedding believe it or not, right around the time he started becoming a bigger name in the sport. Even in a suit you could tell the guy was cut and in real good shape. But could he go through like a NFL scouting combine workout type of regiment and compete w/ these NFL guys? I highly doubt it.

But yeah....Eric Berry while a hell of an athlete, he's not a physical freak of nature that "wows" you w/ size or strength or speed. This category would include people like Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Vernon Davis, Mario Williams, Julius Peppers, LaRon Landry, Lebron James, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Gronk, Patrick Willis

[penguinz]

idk why you guys are saying berry isnt a freak athlete... he has the 3rd highest vertical jump in the combine for ALL positions in the past 10 years. in addition to running a 4.4, and being ridiculously strong for his size. he benched 2-3 less reps than jadaveon clowney, and kalil mack, and 4 more than anthony barr. the top pass rushers in this years draft.

Benching 225 nineteen times makes you an athletic freak? I can find those guys at my gym all the time.

[Sweet Daddy Hate]

Benching 225 nineteen times makes you an athletic freak? I can find those guys at my gym all the time.

When did Berry become Bo Jackson?

[NJChiefsFan]

I'm not implying that you agree/disagree but those people are morons. 50 yr old drivers can compete and win in NASCAR "events" w/ no problem. It requires zero athletic skill...HOWEVER, you have to train/condition your body to take on the physical drain it puts on your body. That's not being athletic though. Granted a good majority of them (drivers) are in fair-good shape. Not too many fat assed drivers out there. But again, driving NASCAR does not equal or have anything to do w/ athleticism. I met Carl Edwards back in 2004 at a wedding believe it or not, right around the time he started becoming a bigger name in the sport. Even in a suit you could tell the guy was cut and in real good shape. But could he go through like a NFL scouting combine workout type of regiment and compete w/ these NFL guys? I highly doubt it.

But yeah....Eric Berry while a hell of an athlete, he's not a physical freak of nature that "wows" you w/ size or strength or speed. This category would include people like Bo Jackson, Herschel Walker, Vernon Davis, Mario Williams, Julius Peppers, LaRon Landry, Lebron James, Randy Moss, Calvin Johnson, Gronk, Patrick Willis

Drivers do need a lot of hand-eye coordination when running close to the wall and other competitors at that speed. I'm not saying where they rank, but that brings them above requiring "zero" athletic ability.

[Marcellus]

Benching 225 nineteen times makes you an athletic freak? I can find those guys at my gym all the time.

Nobody at your gym runs 4.4 40 or has Berry's vertical leap on top of the bench press.


19 reps isn't impressive in itself, it the combination of speed, strength, and explosiveness that makes him rare.

[penguinz]

Nobody at your gym runs 4.4 40 or has Berry's vertical leap on top of the bench press.


19 reps isn't impressive in itself, it the combination of speed, strength, and explosiveness that makes him rare.

This is not rare. It happens more and more every year.

Just because he plays for your favorite team in your favorite sport but does not make him one of the best athletes in the world.

Why is this so hard to understand?

Hell, he isn't even the best athlete on his own team.

[Titty Meat]

This argument by a bunch of guys with beer bellys is stupid. Even more stupid than saying he will never play again.

[penguinz]

This argument by a bunch of guys with beer bellys is stupid. Even more stupid than saying he will never play again.

If it is lymphoma then he most likely won't ever play again.

I can't speak for the others but no where near having a beer belly here. :-)

[Direckshun]

This is not rare. It happens more and more every year.

Uhhh. Not at the safety position.

We just had three safeties get taken in the first round in 2014 and Berry's Combine numbers beat the pants off all three.

[Direckshun]

The only safety prospect I can think of who's numbers were more impressive than Berry's in the past 10 years was Taylor Mays.

Although I think Earl Thomas was about on par with Berry.

[penguinz]

Uhhh. Not at the safety position.

We just had three safeties get taken in the first round in 2014 and Berry's Combine numbers beat the pants off all three.

His argument started that Berry is a top 1% athlete in the world.

If we want to limit it to a specific position in a specific sport I can agree.

[Direckshun]

M'alright. I haven't been following the argument.

Although professional athletes are, by default, the top 1% of all athletes, are they not?

By that sense alone he's almost certainly a top 1% athlete.

[Titty Meat]

If it is lymphoma then he most likely won't ever play again.

I can't speak for the others but no where near having a beer belly here. :-)

Haha thats true you don't. Im slowly getting rid of mine!

we'll have a better idea about his career once the test results come back.

[WhiteWhale]

Exactly.

Yeah... it's HIS fault.

Apparently it was not there when he started training camp.

Did you know that football teams have state of the art medical care and have players pass generally advanced physicals before they let them play?

The more you know...

[DaneMcCloud]

Nobody at your gym runs 4.4 40 or has Berry's vertical leap on top of the bench press.


19 reps isn't impressive in itself, it the combination of speed, strength, and explosiveness that makes him rare.

He's not "rare". He may be "rare" (which he's not, any longer) for a football player but as a human? No way.

[DaneMcCloud]

Apparently it was not there when he started training camp.


That's not necessarily true.

If he wasn't experiencing pain or any issues, there would have been no reason to perform x-rays, MRI's and specific blood tests.