For the first time since returning to the team, Trent Williams spoke to reporters and provided details about the medical condition that played a major role in his decision to stay away from the team.
The Washington Redskins left tackle said he went to team doctors nearly six years ago about a growth on his head that he ended up having removed this offseason. He stated the doctors told him it was a minor condition and he accepted that diagnosis while continuing to play.
The growth only bigger until he finally decided to seek other outside opinions this year.
That was when he learned he had Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans, which is a rare, soft-tissue cancer.
“I had cancer. I had a tumor removed. It got pretty serious for a second. I was told some scary things by the doctor,” Williams said.
Williams said doctors removed the growth weeks before it would have reached his brain. He also stated he had surgeries that removed skin over a significant part of his head.
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“I almost lost my life,” he said.
He has to have checkups every six months to see if has returned.
Williams failed his physical this week after he stated he felt discomfort when trying on his helmet to which head coach Bill Callahan said that the team is looking for a way to customize the helmet to fit Williams comfortably. Williams said “we’ll see how this helmet thing turns out,” but there are other issues as well.
