Tennessee legend Eric Berry has the support of his alma matter. The All-Pro safety, whose facing a potential lymphoma diagnosis, was honored with a special helmet sticker worn by the team during Saturday’s win against Vanderbilt.
Related: Tennessee will wear helmet sticker to honor Eric Berry
#BerryStrong #Family #VFL pic.twitter.com/bZjz0LN3Qa
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 29, 2014
But it didn’t stop there. Tennessee fans, who were the majority attendance in the road matchup, chanted the “Eric Berry” several times during the game.
Freshman kick returner Evan Berry commented on his brother’s battle against the potential disease and was gracious of the fan support shown toward his family.
Evan Berry on Eric Berry: He’s a strong person. I talk to him a lot and I saw that he’s OK and if he wasn’t worried, then I’m not worried. — Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2014
Evan Berry: Fan support, knowing that you have so many people behind your back and knowing its bigger than football, its a great feeling. — Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2014
Head coach Butch Jones also showed his support.
JONES: If there is anyone capable of winning this battle, it’s Eric Berry. #BerryStrong — Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2014
JONES: It’s all about being a Vol for Life and the Berry family means so much to us. Eric continues to be in our thoughts and prayers. — Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 30, 2014
The Kansas City Chiefs placed former Tennessee safety Eric Berry was placed on the non-football illness list Monday. Chiefs trainer Rick Burkholder announced, via Terez Paylor of the Kansas City Star, that doctors found a mass in the right side of his chest after complaining of pains following Thursday night’s game against the Oakland Raiders.
Burkholder said that the “leading consideration” for what Berry has is lymphoma. 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