Troy WR Chris Lewis out for 2024 season on account of most cancers remedy

The triumphant feeling of successful a convention championship immediately felt trivial days later for Troy broad receiver Chris Lewis. Within the aftermath of Troy’s 49-23 victory over Appalachian State within the Solar Belt title sport, Lewis bought an MRI and heard life-altering information, receiving a prognosis anyone dreads — most cancers.

Lewis was recognized with osteosarcoma in his left femur that December, launching probably the most tough offseason any school athlete may ask for — one stuffed with chemotherapy, surgical procedures, and scans, slightly than one in every of scheduled lifts and broad receiver drills.

In a press release launched by Lewis via Troy, the receiver revealed he won’t go well with up for the 2024 soccer season. Moderately, he plans to return to campus this fall and function a pupil assistant coach.

Lewis offered extra element on his most cancers prognosis on his GoFundMe web page, which raised roughly $21,000 as of 5 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 16:

My title is Chris Lewis and I’m a red-shirt junior WR at Troy College. I used to be recognized with osteosarcoma in my left femur in December 2023, simply days after enjoying within the Solar Belt Convention Championship.

I needed to depart my teammates, mates, coaches, and assist system in Troy to start an intense remedy course of that features 10 weeks of chemotherapy, surgical procedure to take away the mass, after which one other 10 weeks of chemo. On the sector for the Trojans, I completed the 2023 season ranked sixteenth within the nation with 10 landing catches and led the nation averaging 22.97 yards per catch. I used to be featured a number of occasions on SportsCenter High 10 for my signature one-handed catches, together with the No. 1 and No. 2 play of the night time from my three-touchdown sport in opposition to South Alabama.

Even with insurance coverage, the monetary burdens of battling most cancers are important for anybody, particularly for a school pupil like me, as I’ve out-of-pocket bills for remedy and medicines important in my battle.

I’ve labored carefully with Troy Athletics to make sure that all donations adjust to NCAA guidelines and that after I beat most cancers, I can return to the soccer discipline.

Lewis earned a Third Workforce All-Solar Belt nod in 2023 in his first season at Troy. He spent the 2021 and 2022 campaigns at Kentucky, however immediately escalated to an impression participant with the Trojans after reuniting along with his former Kentucky assistant Jon Sumrall.

Lewis collected 735 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns final fall, rating second and first on the group in these classes, respectively. His 23.0 yards per catch ranked first amongst all FBS receivers with a minimum of 20 receptions, establishing presence as one of many nation’s most deadly deep threats. As talked about in his assertion above, Lewis’ arms shortly grew to become recognizable on spotlight reels, snagging two one-handers in opposition to Kansas State final September.

Lewis received’t go well with up in 12 months one of many Gerad Parker period at Troy, however he’ll help Parker and his employees because the Trojans purpose for a 3rd consecutive Solar Belt championship. Troy kicks off its 2024 season internet hosting Nevada on Saturday, Aug. 31 at Veterans Memorial Stadium.