Leah's Story: How NFL Player Devon Still Helped Cancer

By Kate Mueller on October 24, 2014

via WCPO

Going from nearly getting cut from the NFL to having 15,000 jerseys sold seems like a pretty large leap to make within a couple months.

What also took a leap? Cancer research – a $125 million leap in cancer research, to be exact.

Devon Still, a tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals, made history after his announcement back in September that his jersey would be for sale with all proceeds going to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia for pediatric research.

Devon’s adorable daughter, Leah, has pediatric cancer. While sharing their family’s story, pictures of Leah’s smile, whether in the hospital or in her father’s arms, can brighten even your darkest days. Despite all of the struggles, she’s a sign of hope and a source of encouragement.

After an injury that nearly cut him from the team, the Bengal’s head coach, Marvin Lewis, decided to re-sign Devon to the practice squad so that he can keep getting a paycheck and health insurance to pay for Leah’s treatments.

Devon was having a hard time focusing on the game when dealing with the fact that his daughter has a 50-50 chance of living and the Bengals recognized that.

A week and a half later, he was woken up by a phone call from the Bengals assistant coach telling him to come to the stadium. Up for discussion? Being put back on the active roster.

“They told me when I get a chance to make it over to the stadium. I rolled right out of bed and made it over about 5 minutes later before they changed their minds.”

- Devon Still in an interview with The Associated Press

Soon, the jersey deal was in the works and within two days, more than 1,000 jerseys were sold. By the end of the month-long sales, nearly 15,000 jerseys were ordered – each at $100 a piece. Children’s sizes were the first to sell out, but soon all sizes except XL were out as well.

via Twitter

As you browse through his Instagram and Twitter, you see Leah’s admirable smile alongside other cancer-battling kids donning #75 or his “Still Strong” T-shirts (which are still available) in hopes that one day pediatric cancer will be ‘sacked.’

The jersey sales weren’t the only fundraising effort, though. There is also a pldgit.com account where you can offer a one-time donation or a per-sack donation that would be given every game day.

There are three heroes in this story. Devon and Leah, of course tied for the top spot, and the Bengals organization. We hear about the millions of dollars the NFL and its players make per season and think of them as money-hungry vultures that just want to win and make another million or two.

But the Bengals looked beyond the money. Cutting Devon from the team would have meant more money to go toward a ‘better’ player’s salary, but instead they did the right thing and are helping this precious girl and her family in a time of need.

via WN.com

The Bengals and the thousands of fans weren’t the only generous ones, though. The Yankees, Philadelphia Flyers, Patriots Cheerleaders and several other teams, organizations and schools showed their support.

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton ordered 100 Still jerseys. Ellen DeGeneres did an interview with Devon and donated a whopping $10,000 to the cause.

Papa John’s recently announced a promotion for Devon and Leah on Tuesdays through November 18 where 15 percent of online sales go to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Buy a t-shirt, make a donation, buy a pizza on a Tuesday — do anything you can to help Leah and all the other children with cancer.

Outside of money, emotional support poured out as well, with fans toting “Get Well Leah” signs, the Ben-Gals wearing “Women of Still” t-shirts and Eagles head coach Chip Kelley sending Leah a care package.

This emotional journey and story is much more than football. And after the rough press the NFL has gotten over the past few months, it’s great to have a truly inspiring and uplifting story shine through.

This is a story that needs to be told over and over again because there is more to life than football (and that’s coming from a big football fan). But it’s also a story of how a sports organization can be a brilliant platform for fundraising and gaining awareness for major causes. It’s telling us to take advantage of our connections and status to do some good in the world.

Whether you’re the arch nemesis – Steelers – or battling the Bengals on your favorite team’s home turf, just close your eyes and let the sacks happen. We have some extra incentive to putting your quarterback on his back because in the eyes of the Bengal, he’s going down for cancer.

via Fansided

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