Eric Berry Injury: Chiefs Show Support For Player After Lymphoma Diagnosis

Eric Berry Injury - During Sunday night's game against the Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs players honored and showed support for teammate Eric Berry by wearing T-shirts printed with his initials.

Last week Monday, Eric Berry was placed on the non-football illness list and is set to be out for the rest of the season. Reports indicate that the player had some discomforts in his chest during a game against the Oakland Raiders. Eric Berry went for check up and an MRI scan found a mass around his chest, which the team doctors suspect could be lymphoma.

Several Chiefs players and fans have shown support since the news of Eric Berry's condition was announced by the team's athletic trainer Rick Burkholder.

Chiefs players reportedly sought the permission of CEO and Chairman Clark Hunt as well as coach Andy Reid to wear the famous red-on-red jerseys during Sunday night's game. Eric Berry's teammates reportedly chose the red-on-red jerseys because it is one of his favorites. They apparently thought it will be a good way of honoring the All-Pro safety.

Reports indicate that veteran safety Kurt Coleman as well as the players committee and veteran leaders Alex Smith and Justin Houston also designed special T-shirts in honor of Eric Berry. The shirts were printed with "Be Bold, Be Brave, Be Berry." The shirts also had Eric Berry's number 29 on the back along with his highlighted initials.

Kansas City Chief reporter Adam Teicher said after team doctors officially confirm that the mass around Eric Berry's chest is lymphoma, the shirts in honor of the player would be made available for purchase.  The proceeds from the shirt sales would go to the Eric Berry foundation, which in turn would be used to fund research into lymphoma.

In a statement released via his website, Eric Berry said "I am truly thankful for all the support from family, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs Kingdom." The three-time Pro Bowler added that he was shocked by the diagnosis, but understands that he has a new opponent to defeat.

Eric Berry, who will be 29 in Dec., is arguably one of the NFL's best safety men. He was the fifth overall pick of the 2010 draft.

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