Thursday, October 13, 2011

An Ohio High School Football Player's Battle with Cancer on Tonight's High School Football America Radio Show

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

The saying that everyone is touched by cancer in some way is all too true.  Earlier this week, it creeped into my family's life again, but luckily this time everything turned out fine!

If you are a follower of High School Football America, you know that myself and Trish Hoffman have been touched by the story of the Pink Arrow Pride game Lowell High School in Michigan that has raised over $750,000 in four years to help residents of the tiny community in their battle with cancer.  We're currently working on a new video from the 2011 game, but in the meantime, you can check-out last year's story below.



Tonight on my radio show, I'm going to have the pleasure of talking with a young man, who has gone from one of the top offensive linemen in the country battling defensive linemen in Ohio to fighting the most important battle of his life.

In April, Ryan Anderson of Kent Roosevelt High School (Kent, Ohio), who was ranked among the top 35 offensive guards in the country, was diagnosed with a rare bone cancer called osteogenic sarcoma that ended his football career.

Anderson has been nominated by his coach John Nemec for the High School Football Rudy Awards.  The award honors inspirational high school football players who best define "The Four C's" of character, courage, contribution and commitment.

What makes the story unusual is back in 1992, Roosevelt quarterback Benny Cowgill died of the very same disease.

Anderson, who is a team captain, still attends his team's games while undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Also on tonight show tonight at 7PM Eastern Time will be Brianna Amat of Pinckney Community High School in Pinckney, Michigan. Amat has been shining in the national spotlight since September 30th when she not only kicked a game-winning field goal for her team, but also was named Homecoming Queen during the same game.

To read Brianna's story in the NY Timesclick here.

To listen to High School Football America LIVE tonight, click here.

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