Chiefs RB Damien Williams Announces His Decision to Opt-Out of the 2020 Season as He Plans to Be By Mom’s Side During Her Cancer Treatment

Chiefs RB Damien Williams Announces His Decision to Opt-Out of the 2020 Season as He Plans to Be By Mom’s Side During Her Cancer Treatment

While talking on SiriusXM NFL Radio Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams revealed his decision to not play in the upcoming 2020 season. It was a decision he made that was in his mom’s best interest.

As Williams revealed, according to ProFootballTalk, his mom was recently diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, meaning she’s now at an even higher risk of contracting COVID-19. “I’m dealing with a family matter, my mom was just diagnosed with cancer and it’s Stage 4, so that was my decision,” he told SiriusXM NFL Radio.

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“With everything that’s going on, she was the only one there for me. I never had the opportunity to have my dad there. My mom is my rock, my everything, so during a hard time like this, I think I should be next to her every step.”

And that was ultimately why he decided not to play this season. Because if he were to opt in to the 2020 season, he would have to quarantine away from his mother rather than be the person holding her hand through her cancer treatments.

However, regardless of his reasons, Williams admitted that it was still a very difficult decision to make. “It was hard, I sat down and talked to everybody in my circle, my family and everybody close to me,” he admitted. “My mom was just like, whatever’s your decision, I’m behind you.”

And although the 2020 season will look different this year, the Chiefs are poised to have a repeat of last year, in which they ended the 2019 season as Super Bowl Champions. Earning a second ring also weighed heavy on Williams’ heart when making his decision.

“It was hard. Football is my life and coming off a championship and wanting a repeat — and I know they’re going to handle that — but at the end of the day, it was something personal I had to handle.”

Nonetheless, Williams is confident in his decision. And, of course, we are thinking and praying for Williams’ mom as she begins her journey towards becoming a cancer survivor.

Sara Vallone

Sara Vallone has been a writer and editor for the last four and a half years. A graduate of Ohio University, she enjoys celebrity news, sports, and articles that enhance people's lives.