CLEVELAND (AP) _ Veteran offensive lineman Joe Andruzzi,
released by the Cleveland Browns last month after two seasons with
the club, has been diagnosed with a treatable form of non-Hodgkins
lymphoma.
His agent, Joe Linta, said Friday that the 31-year-old Andruzzi
has begun getting chemotherapy treatments at the Dana Farber
Institute in Boston, a hospital for which he helped raise money
while playing for the New England Patriots.
``While this condition is very serious, both Joe and his doctors
feel he will be quickly on his way to a full recovery," Linta said
in a statement. ``He is being treated by some of the best
specialists in the country for his affliction. Joe is confident
that he could not be in better hands.
``He would like to thank all of his fans and friends for the
tremendous outpouring of support and prayers."
During training camp in 2002 for New England, Andruzzi became
friends with a young cancer patient named C.J. Buckley. Following
the 17-year-old's death, Andruzzi helped establish a trust fund in
Buckley's name to benefit children's brain cancer research.
A father of four, Andruzzi was cut by the Browns last month as
they continued to rebuild their offensive line. Andruzzi, who was
signed by Cleveland as a free agent in 2005, had two more years
left on his contract.
He started 27 games for Cleveland coach Romeo Crennel, who first
worked with Andruzzi on three Super Bowl-winning teams in New
England. The two have remained close and Crennel said it was a
tough decision to let Andruzzi go.
The Browns issued a statement in support of Andruzzi and his
family.
``While in Cleveland, Joe's leadership and strength were
enormous both on the field and in the locker room," the club said.
``If anyone can fight through this, it is Joe."
Andruzzi, who played on sore knees last season, spent three
years with Green Bay before joining the Patriots in 2000.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
