Patriots offensive lineman Nate Solder revealed to ESPN that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer prior to the 2014 season.
Doctors treated Solder because they found the cancer was restricted to one testicle and hadn't spread. Doctors removed the testicle and Solder was able to go on to play football. About one year later, he's ready to share his story because April is National Testicular Cancer Awareness month.
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"I knew nothing about it. It was a complete surprise," Solder told ESPN. "You Google something like that and it kind of scares you, so I was like, 'I'm not going to freak out about this.' Had I not had a routine physical, I probably wouldn't have checked it, saying, 'Oh, it's just in my head, I'm going to be fine.' "
After having his cancer treated, Solder went on to play in every game with the Patriots, including the team's Super Bowl victory. Now he's ready to use his platform to help make people aware.
"I was completely healthy, I'm a professional athlete. It can happen to anybody," he said. "Make sure you get yourself checked out, especially young men, because that's who it's really targeted toward."
Since his initial diagnosis last April, Solder has been back to the hospital every three months. He's received good news every time and hopes his situation stays that way.