News

Actions

Devon Still might be back in NFL next season

Posted at 3:41 AM, Jan 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-08 05:41:46-05

CINCINNATI — There's good news about Leah and Devon Still coming from the NFL's former No. 1 dad.

Cut by the Bengals last September, Still confirmed that the Houston Texans have signed him to a future contract for next season. On top of that, 5-year-old Leah is finishing her treatments Friday.

Still said this on social media:

"Leah's last treatment is Friday. I just signed a contract to get back to doing what I love. I would say this week is a good week! I told myself from day one with Leah's diagnosis I would give her my all and sacrifice my career because if I lost her to cancer I could never get her back but if I lost football, given the right opportunity, I could get it back. Thanks to the Texans for giving me that opportunity!

Still had a tryout as recently as three weeks ago with the Denver Broncos but he didn't play during the 2015 season.  He also had a workout with the Colts in September. Players not on an NFL roster can be signed after the regular season ends, but the future contract doesn't take effect until the start of the new league year in March.

Scans this summer found no trace of cancer in Leah, but she has been undergoing treatment to help rebuild her immune system, which was destroyed by chemotherapy.

The Stills became a social media sensation during Leah's brave fight against cancer. Devon was there to love and encourage her, and his posts grabbed the attention and hearts of the whole country. The Stills wrote a children's book called "I Am Leah Strong" to inspire other kids fighting a life-threatening disease and started the “Still Strong Foundation” to help meet the needs of families fighting pediatric cancer. Devon and Leah were honored with the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYS last summer.

The Bengals helped by donating more than $1.3 million in sales from Still's No. 75 jersey to Cincinnati Children's Hospital for pediatric cancer research and treatment.