The National Football League's (NFL) Kansas City Chiefs just announced last Monday that Safety Eric Berry has been diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma.

The 25-year old player was placed on the non-football injury list last month, effectively ending his season. Afterwards, he went through several tests at Emory University's Winship Cancer Institute.

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"This is a diagnosis that is very treatable and potentially curable with standard chemotherapy approaches," Dr. Christopher R. Flowers, director of the Emory Lymphoma Program said in a written statement. "The goal of Mr. Berry's treatment is to cure his lymphoma and we are beginning that treatment now."

Berry, a fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft and one of the best NFL defensive players, began complaining about chest discomfort after a game with the Oakland Raiders last November 23.

When he went to get checked up with doctors, they found a mass on the right side of his chest. The preliminary diagnosis was lymphoma.

Doctor Jack Jacoub, a medical oncologist at Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center in Fountain Valley, said that if young individuals were to get cancer then lymphoma is among the better cancers to get in terms of curability.

He pointed out that the chemotherapy has several side effects such as numbness or tingling in the hands and feet, and a drug in the treatment could affect his heart as well.

While it may affect his athleticism, he says that the expectation is that he is going to get through it just fine.

"I am truly thankful for all of the support from family, friends, coaches, teammates and the entire Chiefs kingdom," Berry said in the statement.

Coaches and fellow players have shown their support for Berry by wearing shirts with the slogan, "Be bold. Be brave. Be Berry."

The shirts are currently on sale at the team's pro shop at Arrowhead Stadium and online. The proceeds of the shirt sales are all going to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

TagsEric Berry, Kansas City /chiefs, Hodgkins Lymphoma