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SPORTS Friday 1 November 2019
Redskins' Williams reveals cancer scare, explains holdout

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Wash- ers unfolded with Williams, old that daddy might not
ington Redskins tackle Trent selected fourth overall by be here. It's tough."
Williams revealed a cancer Washington in the 2020 Williams said extracting the
diagnosis that played a draft, seated by his corner tumor was the only accept-
part in his lengthy holdout locker stall. able path even though that
and distrust of the team's "It was a lot of emotions; approach meant "losing 30
medical staff and the orga- I'm not going to lie and say percent of my scalp." Ra-
nization. it wasn't," Williams said of diation treatment "would
Williams on Thursday said returning to Redskins Park have put a cap on my life I
he told the team of the Tuesday shortly before the think 15 years was the most
medical issue six years ago, NFL trade deadline. I would have had after I
and the growth on his head The feelings were not of started chemo. So I had to
grew substantially over fondness, but frustration cut it out," Williams said.
time. The 31-year-old said over the team's medi- Williams failed his team
he had a tumor removed cal personal, according physical this week because
from his skull and needs to to Williams, downplaying of discomfort with a stan-
get checked out every six the growth's severity over dard helmet. Interim coach In this Nov. 11, 2018, file photo, Washington Redskins offensive
tackle Trent Williams stands on the sideline during the second
months to make sure he's the years only for a local Bill Callahan said the team half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OK. Northern Virginia hospital to would seek an alternative. in Tampa, Fla.
The seven-time Pro Bowl eventually provide a more Washington has a two- Associated Press
selection had multiple sur- serious diagnosis. week exemption before
geries during the offseason "I almost lost my life. Serious- needing to put Williams on Williams said, "We'll see how salvaged, Williams paused
related to the tumor's re- ly, I almost lost my life," Wil- the active roster. this helmet thing turns out." before saying, "Next ques-
moval and remained away liams said. "You're 30 and Such frightening thoughts Subsequent comments tion."
from the team during that coming off seven straight put playing football in a make it clear his relation- Callahan said Wednesday
time. Williams said it got Pro Bowls and a doctor tells proper perspective, but ship with the organization, he was "hopeful" Williams
pretty serious and he was you to get your affairs in or- "I still love it," Williams said. specifically team president would play for Washington
"told some scary things" by der. It's not going to sit well That's the sport. Playing for Bruce Allen, is strained. again.
doctors that changed his with you. It still doesn't. It's a Washington again is anoth- "No, there's no trust there," Williams kept tabs on the
outlook on life. scary thing to go through. er story. Williams said. When asked team and contact with
The riveting almost 20-min- Think how you describe to Asked if he envisioned play- about whether his relation- teammates despite his ab-
ute discussion with report- your 9-year-old, your 5-year ing for Washington again, ship with Allen could be sence. q

Continued from Page 17 "When I turned, I had an ter Darlington Nagbe was
"It'll be just the same as intent to play it back out," dumped in the Toronto
here. Turf field in a football DeLeon said. "But when end of the field. While the
stadium with a massive nobody stepped, I said, United players called for a
crowd. So, it'll be the same. 'OK, I'm going to have a foul, the referee allowed
We're looking forward to it." shot.' Fortunate enough to the teams to play on.
Nicolas Benezet also go in." Atlanta got back in plenty
scored for Toronto, which Toronto FC returns to the of time, but simply gave
knocked off the top teams title game just two seasons DeLeon too much room.
in the East — New York City after winning the title with "We had a few guys around
FC and Atlanta — to earn one of the greatest years him. I don't know what
a shot at the champion- in MLS history. The Canadi- happens. Everybody prob-
ship. Seattle reached the an team slumped badly in ably thinks someone else is
title game by upsetting 2018, missing the playoffs, going to stay with the ball,"
Supporters' Shield winner but now finds itself playing Parkhurst said. "For a half
Los Angeles FC 3-1 in the for another championship a second, we left him free Toronto FC players celebrate during the trophy presentation af-
Western final. after taking out a pair of and he takes a great shot." ter defeating Atlanta United 2-1 in the MLS soccer Eastern Con-
Atlanta jumped ahead just powerhouse teams on the United grabbed a quick ference final Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 in Atlanta. Toronto FC
players celebrate during the trophy presentation after defeat-
4 minutes into the game on road. lead, catching Toronto ing Atlanta United 2-1 in the MLS soccer Eastern Conference
Julian Gressel's goal and It was a bitter ending for with a long pass while the final Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 in Atlanta.
had a chance to increase Atlanta, which would have back line was lingering in Associated Press
the margin on a penalty. hosted the MLS Cup title the midfield. Pity Martinez
But Westberg got a hand game for the second year broke in all alone and, with chael Bradley, resulting in on that missed opportu-
on Josef Martinez's kick in a row with a victory. Unit- two defenders trying des- a penalty kick that sent nity, With its only real good
from the spot, which kept ed won the Campeones perately to run him down, Josef Martinez, one of the scoring chance of the first
Toronto in the game. Cup and the U.S. Cup, but spotted Gressel streaking league's most dynamic half, Benezet found a bit
"That save, honestly, made this was the title they really down the right wing. Mar- scorers, to the spot. of room at the left edge
the difference," DeLeon wanted — especially in the tinez dumped a pass to Martinez had converted of the area and let go of
said. "If they score there, it's final season for captain Mi- Gressel, who easily flicked 18 of 21 penalties during all a curling shot that eluded
a different game. Q kept chael Parkhurst, who is re- the ball into an open net competitions this season, Guzan's stretch, caught
us in the game." tiring. for his first career playoff but his shot lacked its usu- the far post and went in.
DeLeon won it with a bril- The longtime MLS stalwart goal. al zip. Westberg guessed It was the first goal allowed
liant shot from 25 yards came up two wins short of Atlanta really had the vis- right, dove that way and by Atlanta in three post-
out. Surrounded by Atlanta another championship. iting team reeling before stuck out his right hand to season games.
defenders, he found just "It was frustrating, for sure, the 10-minute mark, set up keep Atlanta's lead to a In the end, United domi-
enough room to unleash a especially after the great by another long pass to single goal. nated most of the catego-
right-footed blast that beat start we had," Parkhurst Pity Martinez. The Argen- "It's just instinct," Westberg ries on the stat sheet, most
goalkeeper Brad Guzan in said. tine midfielder was taken said. notably piling up a massive
the top left corner. The winning goal came af- down in the area by Mi- In the 14th, Toronto seized 18-4 edge in shots.q