Colorado's Nikhil Webb Walker Announces Lymphoma Diagnosis in Speech to Team

Colorado defensive end Nikhil Webb Walker announced to his team that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma and is set to undergo chemotherapy.

Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders and the rest of the team showed their support after Walker delivered the news:

Walker’s announcement was first chronicled by the latest video from Deion Sanders Jr.’s Well Off Media (1:22 mark).

Walker, a sophomore, transferred from New Mexico State to Colorado last offseason.

Walker said that doctors told him that the lymphoma is “very treatable.” The initial concern arose after Walker found a bump on his chest, leading him to speak with trainers before he had a biopsy.

“So that’s [what] I’ve been going through, and that’s why a lot of you haven’t seen me,” Walker said, per the Associated Press.

“I’ve tried to keep it under the wraps, because I don’t want to be a distraction to the team. I want to see how you all boys do, what you all do, and just keep winning — conference championship, bowl game, national championship. That’s why I’ve kept it under wraps.”

Walker also noted how much his teammates helped him through the process.

“Just being here, just, like, helped me with the whole process and really just deal with it. I say thank you all boys because you all made it easier on me even though it’s tough.”

Sanders made abundantly clear that Walker was not a distraction and offered his full support.

“First of all, you’re never a distraction. You’re a blessing, and you allow us to understand what life really is. … What you’re dealing with is real, and the way you dealt with it has been just admirable. We love you. We appreciate you. We’re here for you.”

Walker has appeared in five games this season for the Buffaloes, who are 5-2 and 3-1 in the Big 12. Colorado, which is still in the Big 12 championship race, will now host Cincinnati on Saturday at 10:15 p.m. ET.