Denver Broncos linebacker and savant Alex Singleton has long been a positive example for young soccer players in Southern California.
He holds annual free camps and clinics at his alma mater, Thousand Oaks School. He works with the Special Olympics to raise awareness and support for his sister and other people with disabilities. He brought a team from Thousand Oaks High School, coached by a good friend of his. Evan Yabu to SoFi Stadium to watch Broncos play Chargers.
And when Yabu became the coach at Notre Dame in Sherman Oaks two years ago, he became a familiar face there, too.
But nothing he's done can compete with the message he posted on social media on Monday revealing his diagnosis of testicular cancer, subsequent surgery and hope for a quick recovery.
“I found it difficult to disclose such personal information publicly,” he wrote. “But the point is, if it helps one person decide to pay more attention to their body, then it will be worth it.
“Early detection and regular screenings save lives and can save loved ones from great grief.”
Singleton discovered that elevated levels of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin were detected in a random drug test administered by the NFL. An examination by a urologist confirmed the diagnosis of cancer last week. However, he decided to play Thursday against the Las Vegas Raiders and will undergo surgery to remove the tumor on Friday.
He told close friends in a group message that a drug test showed he was either taking steroids or had testicular cancer. He wrote that he doesn't take steroids, so he planned to play first and then go straight to surgery.
Singleton, the Broncos' leading rusher and team captain, made nine tackles in the Broncos' 10-7 win over the Raiders. He addressed his teammates Monday.
“This morning I stood in front of our team as a lucky guy,” he wrote on Instagram. “I told my teammates and coaches that I had successful surgery on Friday for testicular cancer after being diagnosed last week.
“Fortunately, we believe the cancer was caught early and has an excellent prognosis for me and my family. Although we are still awaiting the results of some additional tests, I fully expect to be back on the field in the coming weeks.”
Singleton, 31, is a tackling machine. He first received national recognition when he recorded 21 total tackles and two tackles for loss in a win over the Chargers in 2022. His 19 solo tackles were second highest in NFL history.
Last season, he suffered a torn ACL in the first quarter of a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but went on to play a remarkable 49 snaps, finishing with 10 tackles.
Singleton, who played at FCS school Montana State, recorded at least 120 tackles four times and has 89 tackles in 10 games this season.
“[We’ll] Stay close to him, keep fighting him,” Broncos linebacker Justin Strnad. told reporters Monday. “I'm just glad everyone is here to support him… Great competitor, great team player. He'll get through this and we'll all be right there with him.”
Singleton's wife, Sam, gave birth in February their first child, a daughter named Tallyn May. Singleton admits his health comes before football and told reporters Monday he will review the pathology report and be tested weekly. He said a CT scan showed the cancer had not spread, but he was unsure how long he would be sidelined while he recovered.
