Arthur Ray: From Cancer to Football

Every year, new faces get set to pursue their NFL dream by being drafted and prepared through rookie workouts. For Arthur Ray, a 25-year-old offensive lineman will have a chance to pursue his dream with the Miami Dolphins this season, an obstacle nearly cut his NFL dreams and his life short.

Flashback to 2007, Ray’s senior year of high school at Mount Carmel high in Chicago, IL. Ray had just signed a letter of intent with the Michigan State Spartans, just before getting some news that would change his life forever.

Upon visiting the doctor in regards to a knot in his left leg, Ray was diagnosed by doctors in Chicago that the lump had in fact been cancerous.

After undergoing treatment, Ray subsequently took some time off from school and football, narrowing his sights on improving his health.

"“It was traumatizing for me, especially because everything I had worked for. Being an athlete, I was used to my body being a certain way, and it definitely didn’t look like that after a while,” Ray said in an interview with ESPN’s James Walker."

According to Walker, nearly a year later, Ray was dealt with another major health concern, this time a bone infection causing him to be visited by a home nurse three times a week.

It wasn’t until April 7, 2011 when the NCAA officially cleared Ray to being practicing with the Spartans, giving him an oppurtunity he once thought he would never see again.

Following graduation, a transfer and another two years of athletic clearing by the NCAA (due to his illness), Ray found himself in South Florida trying out for the Miami Dolphins this past week.

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As rookie workouts began on Friday, coaches and fans watched for several Dolphin’s draft picks like Devante Parker and Jordan Phillips, Ray grabbed the media’s attention and made headlines.

"“I’ve been through a lot you know and I’m just grateful, I’m just so grateful for the Miami Dolphins.. It’s just a dream come true,” said Ray when meeting with media at the conclusion of practice on Saturday."

Although a big step in the right direction for Ray, there were 25 other rookies on the field this past weekend, who are also searching for a roster spot, including 14 players on offense.

Whether Ray will fight his way onto the Dolphins roster this season, like the way he fought through cancer remains to be answered. But one thing that isn’t in question is Ray’s personal drive and a truly inspiring story.

With the rookie workouts concluding on Saturday, Ray will have his next chance to impress during training camp and offseason workouts coming up this summer.