Eric Berry To Return To Chiefs After Cancer Treatment

Only eight months after being diagnosed with lymphoma, Eric Berry has been cleared to participate in the Kansas City Chiefs' camp.

Berry's diagnosis shocked the whole football world last year, and the Chiefs and his family have rallied around him to make sure he had all the support he needed. Head Coach Andy Reid suggested that good news should be coming from Berry's most recent series of tests, but even having him cleared to participate is a massive step in the recover process. He will make the trip to Missouri with his teammates and take part in camp, way before many thought it possible.

Sports are usually an escape from reality for most fans, but some times real life crashes its way into our sanctuary. Berry took his diagnosis in stride and worked out throughout his treatment to stay in shape. Very few saw his recovery happening this quickly.

"At first I was in shock with the diagnosis ... and did not even want to miss a game," Berry said in a statement released after the diagnosis, "But I understand that right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent."

There are still many other steps to be cleared before Berry can get back out on the field for the Chiefs, but sports fans wearing any colors should rejoice to see such resiliency.

"I know my coaches and teammates will hold things down here the rest of the season and until I am back running out of the tunnel at Arrowhead," Berry said. "I am so thankful and appreciative of being a part of this franchise and playing in front of the best fans in the NFL. I will be back!"

Berry was one of the best safeties in the league before being sidelined by lymphoma. After his chemotherapy is over, he wants to be the best again.

Athletes are almost super-heroes to fans. Sure, a broken bone or torn ligament can sideline them for a while, but we always expect them to get back up and join the team again. Nobody expects to hear that the young man in his physical prime that they watch every Sunday all of a sudden must deal with cancer.

Berry didn't let it bring him down, which is giving his fans and the NFL a ton of hope.