Reports: Five-star Auburn football recruit Coleman battling cancer

Tuesday, March 30, 2010
© Copyright 2013 Albany Herald

Photo by Danny Aller

AUBURN -- The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer and ESPN.com both reported Tuesday that Auburn five-star recruit Shon Coleman -- a 6-foot-7, 285-pound offensive lineman who was widely considered one of the Tigers' biggest pickups on National Signing Day in February -- has been diagnosed with cancer and is currently being treated at St. Jude's Research Center in Memphis, Tenn.

The Associated Press first reported that Coleman was dealing with a "medical issue" on Monday and that Coleman's mother, DeKeishia Tunstall, posted on her Facebook page that her son was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and was "taking his chemotherapy treatment like a champ."

According to the Ledger-Enquirer's article, Coleman's high school athletic director at Olive Branch in Mississippi, Pete Cordell, told the Memphis Commerical-Appeal newspaper that Coleman had a lump taken out of his head shortly after spring break.

Auburn coach Gene Chizik told ESPN.com that he wasn't concerned about Coleman's football future -- he just wanted him to get well.

"We want the young man to be healthy, and our thoughts and prayers are out to the family in terms of his recovery," Chizik said. "We haven't broached the subject of football in any way, shape or form, and we won't. I just want the young man to be healthy again."

Sign in to comment

Or login with:

OpenID

Albany Herald