A year ago, Herzlich was out of football with Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer that threatened his life. He didn’t play at all in 2009 and you figured you’d never see him in a Boston College uniform again.
On Sunday at the ACC’s Football Kickoff, you couldn’t help but be impressed by Herzlich. He spoke of how much he missed the game – “Hitting is the best part about what I do,” he said _ and talked of how he can’t wait until the opener Sept. 4 with Weber State.
Herzlich, a senior, believes he is healthy now and his left leg can withstand college football. “If some freak accident happens, some freak accident happens,” he said. The bone in his leg could break, but the real risk is, if it does, then healing again could be difficult.
Herzlich understands this and exudes a calm and confidence honed by a year of rehabilitation. He spoke of how grateful he was when teammates and others raised money to fight cancer. His wears multiple wristbands that remind him of his comeback. One came from a fan and says “PUSH,” for “Pray Until Something Happens.”
The fan told him to pray for specific outcomes. “I prayed to beat cancer and to come back and play football again,” Herzlich said.”God willing, Sept. 4, I’ll be able to fulfill that goal.”
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