The NFL has a Soft Spot, too

Over the past year, there has been an appalling amount of negative limelight surrounding the NFL. The Ray Rice domestic abuse scandal dominated the news in September after TMZ publicly released a video of him slugging his then-fiance. That same month, the Viking's star running back, Adrian Peterson, was reprimanded for beating his four-year-old son with a tree branch until he was bloodied and bruised. These stories are shocking to hear, but unfortunately, are not uncommon within the NFL community. Player arrests, failed drug tests, and lawsuits make headlines frequently.

Adrian Peterson mugshot & son's scars

A new story has developed over the current pro-season, gathering explosive awareness and support since August. This story stands out. It does not have any association with violence, law-breaking, or abuse. This story means more than a 60-minute football game, and more than a win or a loss. This story is about a father, his four-year-old daughter, and a national effort to fight for her life. 

Leah Still was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma, a rare form of cancer, in June. In late September, she underwent almost six hours of her fifth surgery to remove the tumor. Fortunately for Leah, her father is the defensive tackle for the Cincinnati Bengals...and he brought the entire NFL to her side. 

The Bengals franchise and fans have shown overwhelming care for Devon and Leah since her diagnosis. The team gave him permission to take as many paid absences as he needed, then went above and beyond to support their player by spreading national awareness. The franchise posted his story on the team's official website and spread the word through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

It wasn't long before Leah's campaign went viral. The Bengal's marketing department created the hashtag #LeahStrong, which has been trending on Facebook and Twitter over last two months. After her surgery went well, the campaign continued with the hash-tag #StillStrong to further create awareness and funding for cancer research.

Major news sources took hold of the story. ESPN, The Today Show, Fox News, and The Ellen Show were just a few mainstream outlets that had something to say. 

In response to the awareness generated, millions of dollars of donations have poured in from across the country for pediatric cancer care centers and research initiatives. Support has come from an array of unlikely sources. The New England Patriot's Cheerleaders all wore Still's jersey during their game against the Bengals on October 19th. Ellen DeGeneres donated $10,000 for cancer research. The Indianapolis Colts franchise matched her $10,000 contribution. Devon's jersey sales have exceeded $1.2 million, and the revenue will be donated back to support Leah's cause.



With all the scandals saturating NFL news, this story gives the league a refreshing new light. It allows the league to become more than just the touchdowns, million dollar contracts, and Sunday night entertainment. This story places family, community, support, and love at the forefront of the entire NFL.