Originally signed as a member of Michigan State’s 2007 recruiting class, Arthur Ray Jr.‘s football career in East Lansing was delayed when, a few months after signing day, he was diagnosed with a cancerous tumor in his right leg. Another medical setback -- he developed a bone infection in the same leg -- in early 2008 pushed his joining the Spartans football program even further into the future.
All told, Ray underwent 14 surgeries to repair the cancer-ravaged limb, including one that involved the removal of his tibia before it was reinserted eight weeks later. The post-cancer issues in his leg were so significant and debilitating that he was forced to walk with the aid of crutches until May of 2009, nearly two years after the initial diagnosis.
Now, not only is Ray cancer- and crutch-free, he’s also free to -- finally -- begin his collegiate football career.
According to the Lansing State Journal, Ray today participated in a practice for the first time since signing with the Spartans. The offensive lineman had been cleared by doctors in January to participate in spring practice, and the NCAA granted a reversal of Ray’s medical disqualification. Ray had to be medically disqualified so that he did not count against the 85-man scholarship limit.
A MSU athletic official told the Journal that “Ray is emotional and does not want to do interviews today.”
Ray will be considered a fourth-year senior this year and, as the paper writes, he still has a redshirt year and could potentially apply for a medical waiver for a sixth year.