Iowa State defensive lineman Mitchell Meyers has been an inspiration to his teammates — and many others — while being treated for Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Wednesday, the nation took notice of Meyers’ boundless resolve and determination. The junior from The Woodlands, Texas, is this week’s nominee for the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
“He’s in the middle of his fight,” Cyclones coach Paul Rhoads said in a news release. “Fun honor for me to be able to do that to him, for him, and I promise you, there wasn’t a teammate in that locker room that didn’t understand and know that he deserved it.”
Read the full release from Iowa State below.
The following is a news release courtesy Iowa State Athletics Communications:
AMES — Iowa State defensive end Mitchell Meyers is this week’s nominee for the 2015 Capital One Orange Bowl-FWAA Courage Award.
A junior from The Woodlands, Texas, Meyers is sitting out the 2015 football season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in February.
Meyers’ determination and the way he’s handled adversity hasn’t gone unnoticed by this teammates. During his chemotherapy treatment, Meyers never missed a single workout. His teammates honored and supported Meyers by surprising him at his final chemotherapy treatment in July.
Despite not being able to practice and compete for the Cyclones, Meyers has been a frequent visitor on the Iowa State sideline throughout the season. After Iowa State’s season-opening win over UNI, Iowa State head coach Paul Rhoads delivered the game ball to Meyers.
“He’s in the middle of his fight,” Rhoads said. “Fun honor for me to be able to do that to him, for him, and I promise you, there wasn’t a teammate in that locker room that didn’t understand and know that he deserved it.”
Meyers, who recorded 30 tackles and was one of only four Cyclones to start all 12 games in 2014, has received plenty of support in his courageous fight against the disease. Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Kansas City Chief All-Pro safety Eric Berry, reached out to Meyers in October to offer his encouragement.
Just had a great conversation with Eric Berry. He’s an inspiration to not only me but everyone else impacted by cancer. https://twitter.com/Stuntman1429">@Stuntman1429
— Mitchell Meyers (@MeyersMitchell)https://twitter.com/MeyersMitchell/status/650044243491184640">October 2, 2015
The Courage Award was first presented by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) in 2002. A select group of writers from the FWAA vote on the winner each year. The requirements for nomination include displaying courage on or off the field, including overcoming an injury or physical handicap, preventing a disaster or living through hardship. The winner of the award will be included in festivities during Capital One Orange Bowl week and receive his trophy at an on-field presentation.
