University of Tennessee Athletics
Statement From Eric Berry
November 24, 2014 | Football
VFL Eric Berry released the following statement via the Kansas City Chiefs after it was announced he will miss the rest of the 2014 season with a non-football illness.
Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder announced the news Monday, saying that Berry will visit a lymphoma specialist to determine a final diagnosis. The Chiefs said the 'leading consideration' is that he has lymphoma. Berry was placed on the non-football illness list Monday.
Burkholder says Berry didn't complain about anything before the team faced the Oakland Raiders last Thursday. He had a physical before the season and checked out fine. Coach Andy Reid said that Berry was able to address the team on Monday about his condition, and "feel their love and support."
Berry, 25, has made the Pro Bowl three times in his previous four seasons. The Chiefs expressed optimism about Berry's future prognosis, but cautioned it was early in the process.
"I am truly thankful for all of the support from family, friends, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs kingdom. At first I was in shock with the diagnosis on Saturday and did not even want to miss a game, 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. I believe that I am in God's hands and I have great peace in that. 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!"
