Trent Williams, who has yet to take the field this season, opened up this week about why he is continuing to hold out from playing for the Washington Redskins despite being signed to a fairly lucrative contract.
Speaking publicly for the first time, Williams said he does not trust the Redskins and was upset about how long it took the team’s medical staff to diagnose and treat a cancerous growth on his scalp.
The Pro Bowl tackle, who reported to the team on Tuesday but has not given any indication he intends to suit up for the Redskins, said he told Washington’s doctors about a growth on his head six years ago. The doctors downplayed the seriousness of the growth even as it continued to grow substantially over time.
Finally, despite being told the growth was “something minor” by the team, Williams was diagnosed with cancer at a hospital in northern Virginia. Williams lost 30 percent of his scalp while the tumor was extracted during a scary surgery, but it’s gone.
“I almost lost my life. Seriously, I almost lost my life,” Williams said. “You’re 30 and coming off seven straight Pro Bowls and a doctor tells you to get your affairs in order. It’s not going to sit well with you. It still doesn’t. It’s a scary thing to go through. Think how you describe to your 9-year-old, your 5-year old that daddy might not be here. It’s tough.”
In a statement, the Redskins said they’ve asked the NFL’s Management Council and NFLPA to review the medical records and the care given to Williams.
“We have requested this review under the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement that provides for an independent third party review of any NFL player’s medical care,” the statement read. “The Redskins continue to prioritize the health and well-being of our players and staff. Due to healthcare and privacy regulations, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
Other than money, there’s little incentive for Williams to return this season as the Redskins are 1-7 on the year and will likely drop to 1-8 after Sunday’s game at Buffalo.
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