Eric Berry named NFL Comeback Player of the Year after beating cancer

SAN FRANCISCO – A year ago, Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry was in the middle of chemotherapy treatments for Hodgkin’s lymphoma and facing an uncertain NFL future.

But a full 16-game season, one playoff appearance, 61 tackles and two interceptions later, Berry was named the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year Saturday night at the NFL Honors ceremony.

"I knew I'd be here, but I feel like I'm dreaming," Berry said.

While there were some other worthy candidates, from Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer to San Francisco 49ers linebacker NaVorro Bowman, both of whom returned to form after devastating knee injuries, nothing could compare to Berry’s comeback story.

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Diagnosed with cancer in December 2014, Berry immediately left the Chiefs to begin treatment at Emory University’s Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta. He continued to work out during those treatments and was declared cancer free last summer, shortly before reporting to training camp.

The Chiefs tried to ease Berry back to work, but he was participating in full-contact drills by early August and back in the starting lineup in Week 2. He made his first interception in Week 7 and by the end of the season, he was named to the Pro Bowl. He invited his main cancer nurse to make the trip to Hawaii with him to celebrate their journey.

Follow Lindsay H. Jones on Twitter @bylindsayhjones.