Chuck Pagano gets admiration for fighting spirit – NFL Feature
The Indianapolis Colts were struck with a tragedy about three months ago when their head coach Chuck Pagano made the most disappointing disclosure of his life that he had leukaemia - a type of blood cancer.
It all started with the coach feeling some fatigue. This made him pay a visit to his doctor, and on early suspicions of not being all good, the doc recommended him comprehensive tests. The tests results were shocking for all members of the Colts organisation
and Pagano’s family that the coach had suffered Leukaemia.
Colts offensive coordinator Bruce Arians broke this news to media while almost breaking down in tears. He felt very strongly for his boss given the nature of the disease. Owner Jim Irsay also confirmed the news through his tweets in a similar shock. It then
gripped the entire organisation and sent a shockwave in the entire league.
Although all the faces were bold enough and encouraging in front Pagano that he would recover, deep down there were huge concerns, given blood cancer is one of the most fatal disease amongst all types of cancer.
Then they also were thankful that the disease was diagnosed at very early stage and the doctors’ initial opinion suggested there was hundred percent recovery chance for the ill coach. This provided some sort consolation and a sense of relief to the people
who were seriously concerned for Pagano.
It is pertinent to note that Pagano kept his confidence higher and went straight into hospitalisation leaving his assistant Bruce Arians to accept the reign of head coach. Bruce vowed to dedicate all wins to him. Luckily, the Colts has since been winning
consistently and the credit goes to Pagano, who himself had found so much courage to show up in the coaching boxes for about three times during and before games.
The Colts as a team went a step forward and shaved their heads, this includes players and coaches, to throw their support behind Pagano in the recovery process. Further, they raised $10,000 to donate a charity for Leukaemia research. An equal amount of support
and admiration came almost from all other members of the pro league.
Jim Irsay assured all those concerned that the coach who had taken an indefinite leave from the team would be back on the sideline as soon as he recovered.
It seemed all the worries and concerns for the coach finally paid off and he successfully completed first round of chemotherapy. The doctors’ opinion was very encouraging. Even more admirable was the coach’s fighting spirits and courage that he appeared
during a game.
He then went on to have more chemotherapy rounds and also kept visiting the team during practice and games as a sign of support to them. Finally, the doctors cleared him all fit early this month and permitted him and owner Jim Irsay to decide on their own
when the official would be ready to hit the sideline, back into the coaching role. In addition to return of his health, more surprise news was the remarkable record of wins the Colts achieved in his absence.
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