HOUSTON–NFL player Devon Still is getting back in the game after a break to care for his sick daughter.
Still was a defensive tackle for the Bengals when his daughter, Leah, was diagnosed with stage 5 neuroblastoma, a very rare pediatric cancer, on June 2, 2014, during training camp.
He knew he needed to take a step back from the NFL to focus on his daughter’s recovery, so the Bengals gave him permission to leave organized team activities and camp. Coach Marvin Lewis had to cut Still since he didn’t have the time to devote to the team, but he did something to make the transition a little easier: he said Still could remain on the practice squad so that he’d keep his salary and health benefits.
The Bengals also helped out by selling Still game jerseys for $100 with all proceeds going to Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and pediatric cancer care and research.
In September 2014 the Bengals reinstated Still and promoted him to the 53-player roster from the practice squad. However, he was released from the team before this season.
On Wednesday, Still posted a photo on Instagram announcing that Leah will finish her last treatment on Friday, and that he had signed a contract for next season with the Texans.
