I didn't feel comfortable posting this news on April Fool's Day, but it appears that RFA LB Pierre Woods has been occupied since last summer. His mother, Tatum Woods, was diagnosed with cancer last summer and he has been supportive the whole time- whatever the cost. Of course it makes sense that a son would give their mother their full support, but Woods had to do it from states away. His mother is from Michigan, so while Pierre was in New England, he had to worry about his home the entire time.
Some Quotes from the Boston Herald:
Woods, on watching his mother’s battle for the past few months: "This Chemotherapy, not being able to eat, it’s bittersweet. But I know she’s going to fight. She’s going to fight every step of the way. She’s a strong woman. I’m going to come work out, but if my mama calls me, I’m going to do what I’m supposed to do. The chemo’s been having her down, but she’s been a trooper though, a strong woman, trying to stay strong. She’s keeping faith in God, and believing everything’ll be OK."
Tatum [Woods' Mother], on how she counsels positivity: "He lost his father, and he lost a brother in 2000 from cancer. I guess that made us all get closer as a family. We’ve always been close. I always told him, just cuz someone else says something you don’t like, you don’t have to be negative. Be positive about it. If you don’t have nothing good to say about someone, don’t say nothing at all. I mean, that’s what I try to teach. That’s what connected me and Pierre. I always tell him, ‘Mama already know what you going to say. Jesus loves you and I love you.’ If he going to say something negative, he says, ‘OK mama, I know you want me to be positive. Yeah, I do."
So while Pierre is getting stronger and thinking about the team, his mother is sweating it out at home. They believe that the cancer is recessed and that she is safe, but Woods might be, and should be, thinking about home this whole summer. Best of luck Pierre and Tatum- everyone is supporting and thinking of you.