Seahawks defensive tackle diagnosed with cancer, will undergo surgery

SEATTLE -- Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams will undergo kidney surgery after being diagnosed with papillary type 2 cancer, the team announced Monday.

Williams, 24, released a statement with the team.

“Although disappointing, I am a fighter and will handle this. I am going to focus on my health and fighting this battle with a return to football as my ultimate goal. Thank you for your thoughts and support. Go Hawks!"


Seahawks General Manager John Schneider called Williams an extraordinarily tough individual.

"He is in our thoughts and prayers," Schneider said.

The Seahawks selected Williams in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft out of Alabama but he’s been plagued by knee injuries and is still awaiting his NFL debut.

Williams is originally from Australia.

He posted this photo on his Instagram with this caption: "I am not what happened to me, I am what I Choose to Become."



This story will be updated as more information becomes available.