Vincent Frank
It was back in December of 2023 that current Houston Texans defensive end Dylan Horton stepped away from football after being diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.
A fourth-round pick of the Texans out of Texas Christian, this represented a life-altering diagnosis. The five-year survival rate is said to be between 50% and 70%.
This doesn’t change how it impacted Horton, both on the field in his career and in the football player’s personal life. Anyone who knows someone or who has been diagnosed with cancer knows just how terrible and helpless that feeling is.
Mere months after his diagnosis and after several rounds of chemotherapy, Horton took to social media on Thursday to announce that he’s in full remission. The staff where he’s been treated joined in on the celebration, leading to an emotinal and feel-good moment.
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Dylan Horton And His Path From Cancer Back To The Football Field
Football is obviously the least of anyone’s concern when coming to something like this. But the idea of being able to put on those pads and returning to some sense of normaly has to be no small thing for Horton.
That’s especially true after we read Horton’s statement from March when he announced publicly his cancer diagnosis.
“On December 1st, 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Dylan Horton said in a statement in March. “Through God’s grace, I’m blessed to say that I’m currently in remission! I am grateful for the love from my family and friends, and support from the Texans organization and my doctors. My next objective is to complete my treatments, then get back to playing the game that I love. Thank you for your prayers and support as I continue this journey.”
Horton was placed on the non-football illness reserve list back in December. At that time, he was not ready to announce his diagnosis to the public. “I’m currently dealing with a personal health matter that will keep me away from the team for an indefinite period of time,” Horton said back in December.
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Prime Opportunity For Dylan Horton To Make An Impact
Now that Horton is in remission, he’ll have an opportunity to make a major impact for the upstart Texans. Under defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans, they earned a surprise playoff appearance a season ago.
Horton himself played 10 games for Houston last season before having to step away. He recorded 13 tackles and a fumble recovery in part-time action.
Initially playing at New Mexico to open his college career, the Houston native transferred to Texas Christian after the 2019 season. He played a huge role in 2022 with the Horned Frogs earning a surprise trip to the National Championship Game. That season saw Horton record 10.5 sacks.
Playing this coming season in his native Houston, Horton could very well become one of the feel-good stories around the league.
We continue to wish him the best of health after showing strength following December’s diagnosis.