Patriots Left Tackle Nate Solder Treated for Testicular Cancer in 2014

Per ESPN's Mike Reiss, Patriots left tackle Nate Solder underwent a major life event prior to the 2014 season- one that puts everything in a different perspective.

Solder was diagnosed with testicular cancer in April 2014, but was fortunate that it hadn't spread. Doctors were able to remove the testicle and Solder didn't miss a single game during the season. Solder is coming forward because April is National Testicular Cancer Awareness month. One in 263 men will have testicular cancer.

The left tackle was going through a standard physical exam during voluntary workouts when he told doctors he felt something around his testicle. He notified the medical staff and he had surgery three days later. He was back on the field in June.

Solder was one of the key players for the Patriots Super Bowl season and he overcame so much. It also turns out that the Patriots' opened up the season with two cancer survivors on the left side of the offensive line, as Marcus Cannon was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma at the NFL combine prior to his rookie season in 2011.

Thank you, Nate, for sharing your experience, and thank goodness for your health.