Mark Herzlich ' could not accept that the cancer would end his career

WAYNE, PA. — When the former Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich was selected in the NFL draft, probably not until middle or late shifts, will represent a personal triumph than the few other prospects could possibly know. By Elsa, Getty Images

Mark Herzlich overcame cancer to become available in this week's NFL draft.

From Elsa, Getty Images

Mark Herzlich overcame cancer to become available in this week's NFL draft.

Doctors had given a 70% chance of surviving Ewing's sarcoma, a form of cancer which attacks the bone — and 0% chance of playing football again when a malignant tumor was discovered in his left leg in May 2009. Herzlich had appeared to be well on its way toward the development of one of the premier of nation players before, which dominates the Atlantic Coast Conference's Defensive Player of the Year in 2008. He refused to accept that it had all ended there.If Herzlich was going to fight for his life, keeping alive his NFL dream was to be part of the struggle. "I talked with a lot of people through cancer now, "he says. ' It's the biggest problem they have is not having that light at the end of the tunnel, not having a goal.My success is running out of the tunnel with my team. "He went against the advice of some doctors, opting for a course of treatment that offer some hope for a return to the field. The tumor was ultimately eradicated through intensive chemotherapy and radiation therapy. A 12-inch titanium rod was inserted permanently to stabilize the leg.What about doctors who pushed for surgery as a safer route, even if it meant that he had played his last? "I couldn't accept it, "he says," because I know that the cancer would beat me. Although I am back healthy, taking something away from me that I was in my eyes. "It was a gamble. I think I was gambling with my life. But in the end, it was my choice ".The decision was in line with his ultra-competitive nature. Do not give an inch; take from your opponent all that is possible.This is the way that he played in 2008, when his athleticism and intelligence allowed him to roam from sideline to sideline and 110 tackles. He has also produced six interceptions, returning two for touchdowns, defended eight passes, forced two fumbles, recovered two fumbles and pulled down 13 ball carriers for losses. "If he had drawn up after the 2008 season, when he was Defensive Player of the Year in the ACC and was just a great football player, he would have been a top-10 pick, "says the expert staff of former Dallas Cowboys Gil Brandt, now with NFL.com.The season was so magical that teammates couldn't wait to see the tapeas soon as it was available after the games. '' He did things that year, "says quarterback Codi Boek," who is watching the movie and say: "did you really think, Mark? '_ FITTED "was equally mystified Boek from back pain which often awoke his roommate, shortly after the season ended. Herzlich (6-4, 244 pounds) had played through all types of physical problems. He had never known such agony. "It would be difficult for him to be in the room, because I would wake up screaming, ' Herzlich says of his roommate for their last three years in college.Finally, after a series of tests were negative, an examination of MRI detected the tumor on his left thigh bone (femur).Then came the agonizing wait for the doctors to determine whether a form of cancer that affects one in 600,000 people had gone through the bloodstream and spread to his lungs. The survival rate for those patients then narrows to 10%.The good news came that the malignancy is limited only to his leg.Once that decision was taken, Herzlich acted as if he were bearing down on a slow-footed quarterback. Although he sat out the 2009 season, all but assured his teammates that the cancer had no chance against him. "Really amazed me, the first time he was diagnosed, optimistic as it was, "Boek says."It was, ' I'm going to beat you and stick to what I want to be. "Says Danielle, girlfriend from October 2009" If you set your mind to something, absolutely is going to happen, no matter what. "Fear only ever expressed to Boek Herzlich was that massive doses of chemotherapy that already had caused his hair to fall would also cost him his eyebrows. When eyebrows went the way of his hair, he made the most of it using whiteout over the eyes and attending a Halloween party as comeback of Mr. Clean. Herzlich was injured by a stress fracture in his right foot last June that saw him lose allbut a couple of practices before the open. "Basically, he started the season without any pre-season and played her way into shape," said Boston College coach Frank Spaziani. Another setback came when he broke his left hand during the fourth game last season. He finished the year ranked third on the team with 65 tackles to go with four interceptions.Herzlich acknowledges that was often a step slow. His slow time 4.92 in 40-yard dash at the Scouting combine in February suggested that he remains a work in progress ".The further away he gets cancer and its treatment, the better, "says Agent Tom Condon, adding that doctors believe the possibility of the disease will recur is" very low ".As much as any team must take a leap of faith that Herzlich can make all the way back, everything about him suggests that it's a chance worth taking. For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. The publication of the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, telephone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections. usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the process of moderation and an explanation on how to use the "report abuse" button. To learn more.