Radford High School football player diagnosed with cancer

Eric Burdette hurt in football game, X-ray showed mass

RADFORD – A Radford high school senior is tackling cancer, instead of the opposing team.

Eric Burdette was hurt in last week's football game and thought he bruised some ribs.   An X-ray showed a mass in his chest  and he was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.

He starts four to six months of chemotherapy next week.

(Courtesy: Radford High School)

"The word cancer is scary but fear is a choice. I just look at it as something I've been put through, some kind of test I've got to go through," said Burdette.

"Eric's a tremendously strong young man. When he found out the news he met with the football team. Many of them were upset and crying but Eric was still wicked strong. He's got a great attitude and wants to be at school as much as he can. He's trying to tackle this head on," said Darden Freeman, Radford High School assistant principal.

Everyone is wearing purple Friday at Radford High School and at the football game.

There is also an organization called Students versus Cancer, raising money for people across the New River Valley with cancer.  Some of that money will go to Eric.


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You can see Jenna weekday mornings at the anchor desk on WSLS 10 Today from 5-7 a.m. She also leads our monthly Solutionaries Series, where we highlight the creative thinkers and doers working to make the world a better place.