Colorado defensive end Nikhil Webb Walker has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
A sophomore from Trelawny, Jamaica, Walker has missed the last two games and this week he revealed to his teammates why he’s been out.
In a video posted by Well Off Media, head coach Deion Sanders called Webb Walker to the front of the room to talk to the team and explain his situation.
“One morning I woke up with a bump on my chest and I thought it was going to go away, so I waited like a week or two,” Webb Walker told the team. “Then I went to the trainers and they had me do a bunch of tests; biopsy, surgery.”
This week, Webb Walker met with the doctor and he told the team, “(The doctor) was like, ‘You’ve got lymphoma and you’re going to be doing a lot of chemo just to get rid of it, but it’s very treatable.’ So that’s what I’ve been going through.”
Lymphoma is a type of cancer in the lymphatic system, part of the body’s immune system.
A transfer from New Mexico State this past year, Webb Walker had been a key player on the Buffs’ special teams units during the first five games and got a chance to play 10 defensive snaps in the Buffs’ 48-21 win at Central Florida on Sept. 28. He has been out since then, however.
“Just being here helped me with the whole process,” he told the team. “I want to say thank you all boys because you’ve all made it easier on me. Even though it’s tough and I never thought this would happen to me, but it’s just the Lord’s way and it’s His plan.”
Webb Walker told the team he didn’t want to be a distraction, but Coach Prime told him he’s a “blessing” and not a distraction and assured Webb Walker than the team would be by his side.
“What you’re dealing with is real and the way and you’ve dealt with it has been just admirable,” Coach Prime told him.
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