Amid all the bad news coming out of the NFL lately, one story that emerged from the league is about as uplifting as it gets -- even if casual sports fans probably missed it altogether.
This is the story of Devon Still, the Cincinnati Bengals and a powerful statement in support of anyone affected by pediatric cancer.
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Still is a 25-year-old defensive tackle who was an All-American at Penn State University. The Bengals picked him in the second round of the 2012 NFL Draft, but he hasn't been too great on the field since then, registering just 28 tackles, half a sack and no starts in two seasons with the team.
The Bengals cut Still in late August, just before the start of the 2014 season. Injuries had dulled his athleticism, according to ESPN, but there was something else weighing him down too: A four-year-old daughter named Leah battling Stage 4 cancer. She's reportedly been given a 50-50 chance of survival.
So there's Still, in late August, left unemployed by the only NFL team he's ever played for and with a daughter at home who's as likely to die as she is to live. But the Bengals did Still a solid even while cutting him loose; coach Marvin Lewis gave him a spot on the practice squad so he could continue drawing a paycheck to pay for Leah's cancer treatments.
NFL practice squad players are paid a minimum of $6,300 per week that they stay among the group of 10 players that practices with a team but does not suit up for games. Stay on for a full 17 weeks and you make about $107,000. That's not bad money -- but it's nothing compared to the $570,000 minimum salary for NFL players, such as Still, with two years of playing experience, according the site Spotrac, which analyzes sports salaries.
Still said at the time that he was grateful for the opportunity, given the more pressing concerns in his life.
"I completely understand where they were coming from," he said last week. "I can't give football 100% right now. In the business aspect they want guys to solely focus on football, which is understandable. We are here to win this city a Super Bowl and right now I am not in a position where I can give football 100% of everything I have."
But then the Bengals did something even more awesome: They moved Still up to the 53-man active roster this week.
And the story gets even better -- much better. The Bengals announced late Monday night they will donate all proceeds from sales of Devon Still jerseys to pediatric cancer treatment and research facilities at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Within 24 hours, the sales of Still jerseys had outpaced those of any other player in Bengals history over a one-day span.
Help sack cancer with a @Dev_Still71 jersey. Proceeds go to benefit @CincyChildrens. More: http://t.co/kOuwYDKmCN pic.twitter.com/PmhP5F5o7g— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 9, 2014
In two days, the Bengals sold more than 1,000 jerseys, according to Cincinnati's local Fox affiliate. The sales keep ringing up, and New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton bought 100 jerseys on his own.
With the jerseys going for $100 a pop, each purchase is much more than a symbolic show of support for pediatric cancer patients and their families. Payton's 100-jersey order alone translates to $10,000.
Bought myself a @Dev_Still71 jersey and to support the cause. Hope his daughter continues the fight. pic.twitter.com/D0GQgmY4jL— Nathan Vicar (@FOX19Nathan) September 10, 2014
The show of support from the Bengals, NFL community and random fans and supporters around the country has clearly touched Still. His Twitter feed is a steady procession of posts expressing gratitudes and retweets of well-wishers.
I really wish my daughter could understand the amount of support you guys are showing her and how her fight is going to raise awareness— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) September 10, 2014
But when she's gets older and looks back after she beats this cancer she will definitely be able to appreciate it as much as my fam— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) September 10, 2014
Meanwhile, Leah continues to fight -- but there are a lot more people keeping her in their thoughts now.
You can buy your own Devon Still jersey here.
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