‘I was terrified’ – Brian Schottenheimer opens up about his battle with cancer following Jerry Jones’ revelation of past cancer
Schottenheimer applauded Jerry Jones for revealing his story.
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones revealed that he went through cancer treatment in the upcoming Netflix documentary “America’s Team: The Gambler and His Cowboys.”
On Tuesday, The Dallas Morning News reported he dealt with stage 4 melanoma that he treated with an experimental trial drug. He was diagnosed in June 2010. Jones added he went through multiple surgeries in a 10-year span.
“I was saved by a fabulous treatment and great doctors and a real miracle [drug] called PD-1 [therapy],” Jones told The Dallas Morning News’ Brad Townsend. “I went into trials for that PD-1, and it has been one of the great medicines. I now have no tumors.”
Hours after the reports emerged, Brian Schottenheimer was asked about the news surrounding Jones and he opened up about his own experience battling cancer. The Cowboys head coach was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when he was 28 years old.
“It was a scary time, a lot of things going on, again, I’m not joking, I was terrified of the fact that I might lose my ability to speak because of my love for coaching,” Schottenheimer told reporters. “I was one of the lucky ones. I look at the scar [. . .] and I’m reminded of how lucky I am.”
Schottenheimer added he found his faith around that time and that it was huge for him getting through that difficult part of his life. He credited former Washington Commanders owner Dan Snyder—who also battled thyroid cancer—for helping him get through it by setting him up with the right care. Snyder had fired Marty Schottenheimer two years earlier.
“Mine was nothing like as serious [as Jerry’s], thyroid cancer is the slowest-growing cancer in the world,” Schottenheimer added. “I was more concerned about when I had to have the surgery, that I could lose my ability to speak. Because they’re around your vocal cords.”
Schottenheimer added he had surgery under two days after his thyroid cancer diagnosis.
Cowboys head coach applauded Jones’ decision to share such personal news because he believes it has an impact on people battling with the disease at home.
“I’m glad that Jerry shared it, just because I think it gives people hope,” Schottennheimer said. “It gives people the strength to say ‘Hey, you can beat this.’”
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