Jack Curtis is a senior quarterback at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, but his final season has gone differently than he planned. After a diagnosis of Hodgkin's lymphoma, the football player fought through his senior season with the help of his family and team.

Northfield

Jack Curtis, a senior physics major and starting quarterback for Carleton College, faced a challenging final season after being diagnosed with late stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma. Doctors discovered a large tumor under his arm and two smaller tumors near his heart, leading Curtis to begin chemotherapy while continuing his studies and football commitments.

Curtis scheduled his chemotherapy sessions to allow him to play in games, even as he managed the effects of treatment and a broken hand. Supported by his teammates and family, Curtis played through the pain in his final game, making lasting memories with his team despite a narrow loss. His perseverance and dedication were recognized by his coaches, teammates, and family.

Carleton College quarterback battles cancer in senior season

This is the time of year when we celebrate two things, family and football. And it's those two things that kept a Minnesota college student fighting through the most difficult chapter of his life. Omar Villafranca has the story. As the starting quarterback for the Carleton College Knights, Jack Curtis is the big man on campus. The senior physics major put on the pads for his final division three college football game this month, battling broken bones in his throwing hand and a life changing diagnosis. The way they broke it to me was just straight up a late stage two Hodgkin's lymphoma. And they said, here's where it is in your body. Earlier this summer, doctors at Novant Health in Charlotte found a mango sized tumor under his arm and two smaller tumors near his heart. Instead of dreaming about game days, Curtis was worried about tomorrow. I wrote some letters saying goodbye to people because, you know, I thought with how much bumps I had and whatnot, my mind went there. I didn't know if I was going to beat it and whatnot. I wrote three letters to my parents, my team and friends and then my girlfriend. The 21 year old started chemo in North Carolina, then transferred care to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. An hour away from school, he showed us the chemotherapy port where doctors insert drugs to zap the cancer that also drain his energy. Wednesday is when I fall off the cliff. All those anti nausea stuff, all that stuff wears off. That's where I really in the low point. I don't get out of bed. My teammates have to make me food and whatnot. After a few treatments, Curtis had a new goal to schedule chemo sessions on Mondays so he could spend Saturdays on the field. Nothing was going to keep you out of this game. Absolutely not. No. This is like the reason I came back fighting through cancer or whatnot. It wasn't because I was chasing wins or chasing X, Y, Z. It's because 20 of my best friends were going to graduate and I wasn't going to play with them like they can't put their lives on hold for me. So I need to come back for them if I want to play with them. In their final game, the Knights were down seven in the fourth quarter. Curtis re-injured his already broken throwing hand, leaving him crumpled on the field. He hobbled to the trainer's table with one more goal in mind to finish the game. He pushed through the pain and went on the field for the final drive. This father, Scott, watched from the sidelines. Yeah, he is the toughest man I've ever known. If I could paint a picture of what my son is and you want to know who he is, take a look. The Knights fought hard but lost on the final play. Afterwards, Curtis's mom and dad came down from the stands to hug their son. You know, it sounds so cliche to say, but like I'm Jack Curtis's mom, you know, like I'm so proud to say that. You are just the best football player I've ever had the pleasure of playing with. Curtis and his team shared one final moment together on the field. The memories, you know, when I dropped back to pass and everybody blocking for me is one of my best friends that I've played with for three years. And made one more memory for the rest of their lives. For CBS Saturday Morning, Omar Villafranca in Northfield, Minnesota. Can't wrap my mind around chemo on Monday and playing on Saturday, no matter what that young man decides to do with his life, he's going to be incredible at it. He's got the mental fortitude for anything. Exactly. 100 percent. Incredible. Omar, what a beautiful story.

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