Cincinnati Bengals defensive lineman Devon Still experienced probably the most nerve-wracking day of his life on Thursday. Still’s 4-year-old daughter Leah has pediatric cancer, and doctors were scheduled to operate on her Thursday in an attempt to remove a tumor.
The 25-year-old posted a short video on Instagram showing a pep talk he had with Leah on their way to the hospital. The brave little girl was all smiles.
“Pre-surgery pep talk,” Still wrote. “I might be nervous and scared beyond words but I’ll never let her see it…let’s get this done!”
Leah was diagnosed with cancer on June 2 and has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy. She has been given a 50-50 chance of survival. Doctors are hoping they can remove a cancerous tumor — which they say had decreased in size ahead of her surgery — before sending Leah for more chemotherapy, radiation and stem-cell transplants.
Still has had little time for football while he looks after his daughter, which is why the Bengals had to release him over the summer. However, the team quickly re-signed the former Penn State star to its practice squad to allow him to pay for Leah’s treatments and still have access to full health benefits.
The Bengals also began selling Still’s jersey out of their pro shop earlier this month, which the team usually does not do for practice squad players. All proceeds from the sales have been donated to the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton purchased 100 of the jerseys himself.
I’m sure we speak for everyone when we say our fingers are crossed for the adorable little girl.
