Foster Moreau, an offensive player who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer in March, signed a three-year contract in exchange for $12 million to play for the NFL's New Orleans Saints on Wednesday.
Hodgkin lymphoma is a disease that originates in white blood cells, called lymphocytes, that grow uncontrollably and cause swollen lymph nodes.
Moreau, 26, discovered his condition during a physical that evaluated his transition from the Las Vegas Raiders, his previous team, to the Saints.
Upon learning of the disease, the New Orleans, Louisiana-born player announced his retirement from football on March 23.
"Through a process, something like miraculous, this period of free agency has changed my life. During a routine physical I learned I have Hodgkin's lymphoma and will be moving away from football," Moreau said at the time.
But in recent days the situation has changed. The standout player in the college league reported that even though the cancer reached stage two doctors told him it could be removed.
The diagnosis allowed the Saints to be confident that the player will be healthy and ready to perform in the 2023 season that starts in September.
"I'll kick this thing's ass and go back to doing what I love!" the athlete had posted on his Twitter account on March 22.
When the hiring was made official by the social networks of the National Football League, the post was filled with responses full of astonishment and emotion.
Moreau was a fourth-round pick the Raiders took in the 2019 NFL Draft. He played four seasons in Las Vegas in which he completed 91 receptions for 1,107 yards and 12 scores.
In the 2022 campaign, the tight end had career-best numbers with 33 receptions and 240 yards, stats that caught the attention of New Orleans.
In the Saints, Foster Moreau will reinforce the offense led by his former teammate in Las Vegas Raiders, quarterback Derek Carr, running back Jamaal Williams, who played with the Detroit Lions in 2021 and 2022, and the other tight end of the team, Juwan Johnson.
The Saints will look in the 2023 season to return to the playoffs after finishing last year with a record of seven wins and 10 losses in third place in the South division of the National Conference.
With information from EFE
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