Sadly, the insidious disease of cancer has impacted yet another college football player and program.
Earlier this week, Louisiana Tech head coach Skip Holtz confirmed that sophomore running back Jaqwis Dancy has been diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The diagnosis comes after Dancy sustained an ankle injury earlier this year that, ultimately, led to the Oct. 7 cancer revelation.
From the News-Star:What they’re going through is traumatic. It is hard to deal with,” Holtz said of what Dancy and his family are dealing with now. “I’ve sat in those meetings when you hear that c (cancer) word and how has that is to deal with especially when you’re a 19-year-old sophomore in college athletics who is fit and healthy with what he’s battling. Jaqwis is in a different battle right now.
“For everybody on this team, it has brought a real sense of togetherness and really an appreciation for the blessings we have on a day-to-day basis. We find a way to complain, moan and groan over some of these issues we have, but it’s real easy when something like this close to home, one of your teammates, is fighting a battle for his life. He’s in our thoughts and prayers in everything he’s going through.The football program has, obviously, rallied around Dancy, as has a future College Football Hall of Famer who kicked the ass of the very same disease.
Thanks to Eric Berry (KC Chiefs) for calling Jaqwis Dancy last night. Berry defeated Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and is back in the NFL. #Dogs4Dancy pic.twitter.com/tyForatCHU
— LA Tech Sports (@LATechSports) October 18, 2016
Jaqwis Dancy. We love you! Thoughts and prayers as you compete this week!
— Skip Holtz (@CoachSHoltz) October 17, 2016
As a true freshman last season, Dancy played in all 13 games. The ankle injury he sustained in summer camp kept Dancy off the field in 2016.