Chris Lofton's Battled Cancer

SeanVol · 05-01-2008, 05:52 PM

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- UT Men's Basketball Vol Chris Lofton has battled and beaten testicular cancer, according to GoVolsXtra's Mike Griffith.

Griffith reports on GoVolsXtra.com that Lofton had a cancerous tumor removed from one of his testicles in March 2007.

The cancer was discovered during a random NCAA-mandated drug test, according to Griffith.

"When I first heard that word, ‘cancer,’ I thought I was going to die,” Lofton told Griffith Thursday.

“I wanted to fight through it,’’ Lofton explained. “There were times I wanted to say something, but I wanted my teammates to stay focused on the season.’’

Lofton is reportedly now cancer-free.

GoVolsXtra: UT's Chris Lofton battled, beat testicular cancer

Tennessee Ted · 05-01-2008, 05:56 PM

I wonder if the recovery from this affected his game this year? I am not sure how long it takes to recover from cancer, but I am sure it takes time both physically and mentally. Glad to hear he is cancer free now.

lacene · 05-01-2008, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tennessee Ted

I wonder if the recovery from this affected his game this year? I am not sure how long it takes to recover from cancer, but I am sure it takes time both physically and mentally. Glad to hear he is cancer free now.

Vols Lofton treated for testicular cancer
By Mike Griffith (Contact)
Originally published 04:22 p.m., May 1, 2008
Updated 04:22 p.m., May 1, 2008

Former University of Tennessee guard Chris Lofton revealed today that he underwent four weeks of radiation treatment for testicular cancer last May.

Lofton said in an interview the treatment made him feel sluggish and affected his training. He added it may have affected his performance in his senior season.

Lofton said, however, he's made a full recovery and is healthy.

The former Vol American did not disclose his condition to his teammates because "he wanted them to focus on the season."

Lofton is finishing classes at the university and preparing for the upcoming NBA draft.

Lofton treated for testicular cancer : Basketball : GoVolsXtra.com

Tennessee Ted · 05-01-2008, 08:04 PM

That is really telling. Thanks for the link. It all makes sense now. The way he made strides last year from his sophomore year it seemed he was a can't miss All-American. He worked hard and really improved his drive to the hoop. This year it seemed that the improvement made was erased. He rarely drove to the hoop and settled for the three. He was still good enough to be an all-SEC player, but without further improvement to his dribble penetration he was not able to take his game to a higher plateau.

05-01-2008, 08:04 PM		#4 (permalink)
	Tennessee Ted Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Age: 39 Posts: 5,493 High Fived: 1,332 in 755 posts Given High Fives: 1,418 Rep Power: 1937
That is really telling. Thanks for the link. It all makes sense now. The way he made strides last year from his sophomore year it seemed he was a can't miss All-American. He worked hard and really improved his drive to the hoop. This year it seemed that the improvement made was erased. He rarely drove to the hoop and settled for the three. He was still good enough to be an all-SEC player, but without further improvement to his dribble penetration he was not able to take his game to a higher plateau.
sig by Sabanocchio Read my travel column: http://www.examiner.com/x-10429-Chic...ravel-Examiner

05-01-2008, 11:24 PM		#5 (permalink)
	Tennessee Ted Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Chicago Age: 39 Posts: 5,493 High Fived: 1,332 in 755 posts Given High Fives: 1,418 Rep Power: 1937
Another point I would like to make here is I think it was amazingly unselfish to keep this to himself. Imagine if this came out? He would have been the media's darling. It would have been the leading storyline to every UT game. It would have been covered in so many angles that we all would have gotten so sick of it. Because of his unselfishness he eschewed the media sympathy spotlight in order to concentrate on what was important, the team.
sig by Sabanocchio Read my travel column: http://www.examiner.com/x-10429-Chic...ravel-Examiner

05-01-2008, 11:42 PM		#6 (permalink)
	PuddingTime Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lexington, KY Age: 26 Posts: 12,324 High Fived: 2,597 in 1,609 posts Given High Fives: 3,969 Rep Power: 10030
Wow! That's crazy. It takes a lot of balls to beat that, pun totally intended. This does explain a lot about his performance this season.
#2 Kentucky Wildcats 34-2 (14-2) 2010 SEC Champions 44 SEC Championships 26 SEC Tourney Titles TWO DOWN, FOUR TO GO

05-02-2008, 09:20 AM		#8 (permalink)
	sheluvsbama Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Take a journey to the bright midnight..... Posts: 4,725 High Fived: 801 in 545 posts Given High Fives: 1,341 Rep Power: 7085
I am so thrilled that he has recovered from the grips of this monster. He dealt with this in a most courageous manner. He has my admiration and best wishes for continued good fortune. He is another reason for the Vols to be proud.

05-02-2008, 11:41 AM		#9 (permalink)
	volimhtown So sayeth the shepherd... Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Seabrook, TX Age: 40 Posts: 3,114 High Fived: 777 in 385 posts Given High Fives: 2,210 Rep Power: 1374
Absolutely!! And how refreshing is it to have an athlete with the skills he has to NOT want the attention that such news would have definitely brought to him and the team?? Unbelievable!! With the number of questionable "student athletes" the Vols have housed lately, Lofton is certainly a diamond in the rough and one that all Vol fans will forever be proud to call ours!!
Phyllis-But it is a big deal. You almost killed Stanley. Dwight-Yeah right! I filled him full of butter and sugar for 50 years and forced him not to exercise!

05-02-2008, 12:39 PM		#10 (permalink)
	BamaFanNKy Banned Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Bowling Green, Kentucky Age: 32 Posts: 12,545 High Fived: 1,254 in 883 posts Given High Fives: 49 Rep Power: 0
Most know I am from Chris' hometown and I actually have known him since he was a kid and I was in High School. I would wish this on no person. But, that being said this kid has always had the desire and fight to beat something like this. Plus his parents are two solid people that would make it easier. To be honest, from what I have read about Pearl through this....... much more (to what I already had) respect is gained.

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