Oct 25, 2020; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Foster Moreau (87) against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Las Vegas Raiders
(New York, NY) – NFL tight end Foster Moreau, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, is stepping away from football as he battles cancer. Moreau, a native of New Orleans, was close to signing with the Saints when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. The discovery was reportedly made during a routine physical with New Orleans’ medical staff.
Moreau took to Twitter to and said how thankful he was for the support he’s received.
“Through somewhat of a miraculous process, this free agency period has been life changing for me,” Moreau wrote. “During a routine physical conducted by the Saints’ medical team down in New Orleans, I’ve come to learn that I have Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and will be stepping away from football … at this time to fight a new opponent: Cancer. I’m grateful for the support and thankful for people who have stood firm with me. There hasn’t been a single step I’ve taken without hundreds of people lighting the path before me, and I will continue to seek their guidance.”
Moreau did not detail the process that led to the diagnosis, but that “miraculous” line indicates the cancer might not have been caught if not for physicals with prospective NFL suitors.
Hodgkin lymphoma affects the lymphatic system, part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system, according to the Mayo Clinic. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year “relative survival rate for all patients diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma is now about 89%.”
It’s never an opportune time to face a medical battle like cancer, but for Moreau it’s especially unfortunate, as he appeared poised to push for a starting job in New Orleans.
The Raiders selected Moreau in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He finished with career-high 33 receptions last season and was officially designated a free agent at the start of the NFL’s new league year.
