Former Texas star, NFL linebacker Sergio Kindle reveals battle with cancer

Former Texas linebacker Sergio Kindle has been diagnosed with colon cancer, according to a report from The Dallas Morning News. Kindle, 37, is set to undergo an operation to remove the tumor on Monday.

A CT scan in early August revealed the tumor and further testing showed he has early stage colon cancer. The early diagnosis significantly improves his long-term health outlook.

Writes The Dallas Morning News: “The good news is Kindle’s cancer was detected early. When colon cancer is diagnosed at an early stage, the five-year survival rate is 91%. Many people live much longer than that, and some are cured.”

Sergio Kindle, who was a star at Texas from 2006-09 and played in a BCS National Championship Game, won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens. He is now coaching Hillcrest in Texas, serving as the team’s defensive coordinator.

He is expected to take some time away from coaching while focusing on his recovery. Kindle is maintaining a positive outlook, with the prognosis relatively good.

“They haven’t had anything negative to say when it comes to that, based on it being so early, and my youth and my fitness level,” Sergio Kindle told The Dallas Morning News. “They think that I won’t need radiation or chemo. He said there is a great chance it won’t come back, but it’s cancer, so you can’t just say 0%.”

Sergio Kindle stars at Texas

A 6-foot-3, 250-pound prospect out of Dallas, Texas, Kindle was one of the top recruits in the 2006 class. He was ranked as a five-star prospect and the No. 6 overall player in the nation.

He committed to play his college ball at Texas, where he would quickly become a superstar. Kindle appeared in 11 games as a freshman, racking up 21 tackles and three tackles for a loss.

From there, he’d emerge as a much more significant contributor for the Longhorns. From 2007-09 he would log 132 tackles, 32 tackles for a loss and 16.5 sacks. He also forced three fumbles and recorded five pass breakups.

Kindle had 10 sacks as a junior, earning an All-American honorable mention nod from Sports Illustrated. He would go on to be a three-time first-team All-Big 12 honoree.

Sergio Kindle was drafted in the second round by the Baltimore Ravens, taken with the No. 43 overall pick in the draft. He played in just three games in the NFL, though, recording one tackle for a loss.