| Colts coach Chuck Pagano will miss several games after being diagnosed with leukemia. (US Presswire) |
The Indianapolis Colts announced Monday that coach Chuck Pagano has been diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia. Here are reactions from Colts administrators and players and from others around the league:
Owner and CEO Jim Irsay: "[He and I talked about how] grabbing that Lombardi Trophy some day is going to be that much sweeter when we overcome this. How he’s going to be one of those men who can help others, go talk to them in the hospital, and say, ‘Hey, I faced this diagnosis and here I am 10, 15 years later living my life,’ and share his hope, strength and experience with others."
More from Irsay: "I know in meeting with the team, in meeting with the coaches, there’s nothing more than we want to get that Green Bay game ball and have a victory game ball and be able to walk that into the hospital and put that in his hands. That’s our goal. I know that we will pull together."
Pagano's doctor, Dr. Larry Cripe: "The goal of the treatment I’m about to describe is to cure the disease. That means that he’s returned to a fully functional life, the life that he worked so hard to earn and he’s looking forward to leading the Colts to some Super Bowls. However, the process is long, and complicated, and we are just starting right now."
Interim head coach Bruce Arians, himself a prostate cancer survivor: "As a cancer survivor myself, I know that these first few days are really hard on you, but as he and I talked yesterday, it’s just a matter of time. I asked Mr. Irsay if we would leave the light on in his office permanently till he comes back, and we are going to do that. This football team will survive."
Safety Antoine Bethea: "I’m pretty sure that when we go out on this field on Sunday, and every game, we are going to play for coach Pagano. I think that one of the best things we can do for him is, wherever he’s at watching that TV, he can look at that ticker and see we’re winning. We can win for him. We are going to go out there and are going to fight. We’re going to scratch, claw and try to get these wins for coach Pagano.”
Quarterback Andrew Luck: "Being around him for the last months, I know he’ll fight leukemia just like he’s come to work every day with great enthusiasm. I firmly believe he’ll beat it. I firmly believe he’ll be back with us by the end of the season. But until then, I know we’ll be behind him 100 percent and I hope everybody in Indianapolis and this country is behind him because he deserves everything. It’s tough news to hear, but I still think we are sort of in a shock mode.”
Thoughts and prayers are with Coach Pagano and his family, He WILL prevail and We WILL continue to build the monster for him! #COLTSTRONG -- Donald Brown (@Donaldb31) October 1, 2012
Cornerback Jerraud Powers: “Anytime somebody goes through something like this, you definitely feel for them and are praying for his family and praying for him. The type of guy that he is, he’s still in high spirits from what we’ve heard. You get sad, honestly. ... Chuck is a strong guy, and he’s going to fight this thing, and he’s going to beat this thing. No doubt in my mind that he’s going to beat it.”
Defensive end Cory Redding: "No one wants to sit around and just mope. We finished practice a lot stronger than we started, but that’s just a step. I believe Wednesday will be so much better and we’ll go out there and prepare hard and get ready for a win. That’s what is going to make this go better.”
Safety Tom Zbikowski: “It’s definitely different. It’s something we’ll have to adapt to. It was just different not hearing his voice at practice, him not being out there. All the guys have the upmost respect for Bruce Arians and know what kind of coach he is, know what kind of person he is, know why he was hired.”Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Lardarius Webb: “He said he's going to fight it, work through it. For a lot of guys, it hit our heart this morning when we heard the news. We couldn't believe it was Chuck, one of ours. We know he's a Colt, but he's still one of us.”
Ravens coach John Harbaugh: “Our hearts and our prayers go out to Chuck. Chuck is a fighter in every respect. Chuck's got that swagger, and I'm completely confident Chuck will go to work on this.”Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (via Twitter): "Football is football. But Life is more important. Sending Prayers up for Coach Chuck Pagano during this trying time."San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers linebacker Jarrett Johnson (Pagano's brother, John, is the Chargers' defensive coordinator): “I can’t say enough good things about Chuck. He’s a great guy. Football-wise, he knows a ton about the game. Everybody who has ever played for him has a ton of respect for him, and anybody who knows him has a ton of respect for him. The thing about Chuck is he’s a tough guy. He’s a fighter. ... He's going to beat it.”
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.