New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman made his first public comments Friday since he was diagnosed with an aggressive lymphoma early last month.
Gettleman announced his cancer is in remission in a shaded area of the Giants’ practice facility away from the field. He spoke to media members after the Giants’ training camp practice. He said he is feeling great and very appreciative of all who reached out to him to offer their support and well wishes.
“I feel really good. Sometimes I feel like I’m apologizing for that,” Gettleman said. “But you know, my energy is good. I’m telling you, chemo ain’t fun. There has been a couple of days where…oof…it rocks your world. It’s not fun.”
Gettleman has undergone four rounds of chemotherapy with another three remaining. He hasn’t let it slow him down though. He has been at the Giants’ facility Tuesday through Friday this week, a fact noted by co-owner John Mara when he spoke to the media on Thursday. Gettleman plans to attend training camp practices this weekend.
Gettleman described how he felt when doctors at Hackensack (N.J.) University Medical Center told him his cancer is in remission.
“Well, you know, what was really weird was that I didn’t quite understand it,” Gettleman said. “Here I am thinking I’m pretty smart. When he told me, ‘You’re in complete remission’, it was like, it was kind of weird.”
He said his doctors advised him there is still more to do but he is overall happy with where he is.
Gettleman was hired to succeed Jerry Reese near the end of the regular season. He has managed to tend to team business while undergoing chemotherapy. He spoke with wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. about his contract situation. Mara said yesterday negotiations will “begin sooner rather than later”.
Gettleman’s cancer treatments have some side effects. Each round of chemotherapy requires a five-day hospital stay. He had to be taken to his press conference in a cart. He’s also lost his hair. He will miss the Giants’ joint practices and preseason game at the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the preseason but is confident he will return to his general manager duties full-time.
“It’ll happen,” Gentleman said. “It’ll happen.”
Assistant general manager Kevin Abrams has filled in during Gettleman’s absence from the team.
Gettleman also talked about the support he’s received from the Giants’ ownership, staff, and players. He gave a speech to the players on Wednesday advising them one undisputed fact: individuals win games but teams win championships. The players would be wise to listen to their general manager. Gettleman has been a part of seven Super Bowl teams.
Mara took some time in Thursday’s press conference to discuss Gettleman.
“Dave is doing great,” Mara said. “He’s doing well. I don’t think I’ve ever been around a more upbeat person in my life, particularly going through what he’s going through. But he’s very optimistic about his recovery and about his ability to work this year and, you know, we’re very excited about that. It’s the best news we’ve had in a long
time.”
– Curtis Rawls is a Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage and covers the NFL, the New York Giants, and the NBA. Please like and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Twitter. Curtis can be followed on Twitter @CuRawls203.
