New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman announced in a statement Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with lymphoma.
Lymphoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system involving the lymphocytes, or cells of the immune system. It is characterized by enlarged lymph nodes without pain, fatigue, fever, and weight loss.
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Gettleman said it was discovered during an annual physical. He expects treatment to begin in the “very near future” and is optimistic despite the diagnosis.
“The doctor’s outlook for the treatment and the prognosis is positive, and so am I,” Gettleman said. “I will continue to work as much as the treatment process will allow, and as they know, when I am not in the office, I will be in constant communication with (head coach) Pat (Shurmur), (assistant general manager) Kevin (Abrams) and the rest of our staff.”
Abrams will increase his workload in the interim. He has been with the Giants for 19 years and interviewed for the general manager position after Jerry Reese was fired with four games remaining in last season’s 3-13 campaign.
Gettleman originally joined the Giants’ front office in 1998, serving as the director of pro personnel for 12 seasons and senior pro personnel advisor in his final season. He left the Giants to become Carolina Panthers general manager in 2013. In Gettleman’s four seasons as general manager, the Panthers went 40-23-1 with three consecutive NFC South titles and an 15-1 2015 season that culminated with an appearance in Super Bowl 50.
Gettleman was brought in to succeed Reese, who was fired along with former head coach Ben McAdoo. He was given the seemingly herculean task of resurrecting a franchise that has only made the postseason once since winning Super Bowl XLVI.
Gettleman overhauled the roster by adding key free agents as well as parting ways with some veterans. He signed left tackle Nate Solder to a deal that made him the NFL’s highest-paid offensive lineman. The Giants also made a trade for linebacker Alec Ogletree and selected running back Saquon Barkley with the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft while veterans Brandon Marshall, Jason Pierre-Paul, and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie were sent packing.
Gettleman also thanked Giants ownership and his family.
“I want to thank (owners) John Mara and Steve Tisch and our organization for their support and encouragement, and to (trainer) Ronnie Barnes for his guidance and assistance. And, of course, to my wife Joanne and our children for their love and support.
“And I want to thank you in advance for respecting my privacy and that of my family as we work our way through this. I look forward to being back at full strength and devoting all my energy to helping make this 2018 New York Giants team the best it can be.”
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL and the New York Giants. Please like and follow on Facebook and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
