Former Alabama receiver John Metchie III announces leukemia diagnosis in statement

Heartbreaking news has just dropped out of the NFL. In a statement posted on Twitter Sunday afternoon, Houston Texans rookie wide receiver John Metchie III revealed that he has been diagnosed with APL, a form of Leukemia.

“Recently I was diagnosed with APL (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia), the most curable form of Leukemia,” Metchie wrote in a statement. “I am currently receiving great medical care, am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time.”

Unfortunately, this news will result in Metchie missing his rookie season in the NFL. Instead, he will shift his attention towards his recovery, and he plans on coming back even stronger in the future.

“As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season,” added Metchie. “My main focus will be on my health and recovery. Thank you in advance for you support and well-wishes. I cannot wait to come back stronger than ever. God bless.”

Metchie was selected in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft out of Alabama.

Metchie is also fighting his way back from a torn ACL

In the 2022 SEC Championship Game, Metchie went down with a torn ACL that forced him to miss the rest of the postseason. That didn’t stop him from being drafted though, as the Texans selected him with the No. 44 overall pick. He has been working his way back to full health, although the Texans expected his knee to be healthy enough to play at some point this season.

In 2020, Metchie first broke out as a sophomore at Alabama. He hauled in 55 receptions for 916 yards and six touchdowns, averaging 16.7 yards per catch. In 2021, though, he became even more of a consistent weapon on the outside in Alabama’s offense. In his final collegiate season, he hauled in an impressive 96 catches for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 11.9 yards per reception.

Metchie was expected to slide into a prominent role right away with the Texans, as Houston lacks playmakers at receiver behind top option Brandin Cooks. Now, though, he will turn his focus on his recovery and health, and he will hope to come back even stronger once he is able to fight through this diagnosis.