Knoxville gathers signatures for #BerryStrong banner in honor of Eric Berry
By Jason Hall
Published:
WATE 6 and Kroger in Knoxville have teamed up to show support of former Tennessee and current Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who is currently battling cancer. Knoxville residents have signed a #BerryStrong banner that will be placed at several Kroger locations beginning today.
The Chiefs announced that the three-time pro bowler and former all-pro was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and is receiving treatment. Head coach Andy Reid gave an update on the safety’s status, after dedicating the team’s first win since his announcement to Berry on Sunday.
“He is battling right now,” Reid said. “He had his first treatment and probably isn’t feeling very good. I talked to him. He said oatmeal is his best friend right now. He was not able to take too much down. He is in the middle of this thing.
“But everybody has been staying in touch with him and making sure he knows our support is there with him. It was a good win, I dedicate that one there to Eric.”
Berry started in all three seasons at Tennessee and was a consensus All-American in 2008 and 2009. The Fairburn, Ga., native was the 2008 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and the 2009 Jim Thorpe Award winner. Berry still holds the record for SEC career interception return yards (494).
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
