OU's Austin Woods battling lymphoma
BY JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
5/01/12 at 4:52 AM
Oklahoma football player Austin Woods is battling Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Woods, a sophomore offensive lineman from Rockwall, Texas, was diagnosed with the disease late last week and on Monday began a series of chemotherapy treatments.
Hodgkin's lymphoma is a cancer of lymph tissue that is most common in people ages 15-30 and 50-70, according to WebMD.
The news was first reported by Rivals network website SoonerScoop.com.
Woods posted a few thoughts on his Twitter feed, @AwesomeWoods_50, throughout the day Monday.
"Fighters mentality. Round 1..." Woods tweeted in the morning. Later Monday evening, Woods posted that he found out last Thursday he has stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma and that he is receiving treatment at OU's Stephenson Cancer Center.
Woods also posted, "Thank you everyone for all the support! #beatcancer" and even got a message of encouragement from pro wrestler turned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, a former University of Miami football player: "Stay strong man. Team Bring It's pullin' for ya."
SoonerScoop.com also reported that Woods will receive chemotherapy in Oklahoma to be close to his teammates and that Woods' parents, Don and Elizabeth Woods, are moving to Oklahoma and will stay with friends during his treatments.
In 2010 and '11, Woods was OU's deep snapper on placekicks and also played four games in 2011 on the offensive line. He earned Academic All-Big 12 in 2011 and was featured briefly during the Sooners' "ESPN All-Access" preseason show in August. Woods, nicknamed Thor for his long blond hair, lost an arm wrestling contest to freshman Jake Reed to settle a bowling contest among offensive linemen.
Original Print Headline: OU's Woods battling lymphoma
John E. Hoover 918-581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com
Associated Images:
Austin Woods: The sophomore offensive lineman was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma and has begun chemotherapy
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