Former Georgia Tech football captain Joe Anoa’i – better known to professional wrestling fans as Roman Reigns – announced Monday that he will take a leave of absence from WWE as he begins treatment for leukemia.
Anoa’i, a highly popular star in WWE, relinquished the Universal Championship belt as part of his leave. He made the announcement in the ring at the beginning of the WWE’s Monday night episode of “Raw.”
Anoa’i said that he had been diagnosed with leukemia 11 years ago as a 22-year-old and had kept the disease in remission until it recently returned. Anoa’i said that “I’ll take every prayer you can send my way” but did not want anyone’s sympathy.
“But I want to make one thing clear: By no means is this a retirement speech,” he said. “Because after I’m done whooping leukemia’s ass once again, I’m coming back home. And when I do, it’s not going to just be about titles and being on top. It’s about purpose. I’m coming back because I want to show all of you, the whole world, I want to show my family, my friends, my children and my wife that when life throws a curveball at me, I am the type of man that will stand in that batter’s box, I will crowd the plate, I will choke up and I will swing for the fences every single time. Because I will beat this and I will be back. So you will see me very, very soon.”
Anoa’i played for Tech 2003-06. He was a three-year starter at defensive tackle and was a team captain in 2006, when he was named an All-ACC defensive lineman. He helped Tech launch its new football uniforms in August as a surprise model for the uniform at a launch party in downtown Atlanta.
Athletic director Todd Stansbury, who has gotten to know Anoa’i in the past year, released a statement Monday evening in support of the former letterwinner.
“On behalf of the entire Georgia Tech athletics family, I send positive thoughts and well-wishes to one of our own, football letterwinner Joe Anoa’i – aka Roman Reigns. I’m confident that leukemia will be no match for the tenacity and determination that Joe has always displayed on the football field and in the wrestling ring, and which he will undoubtedly bring to this new battle. Above all, Joe is an outstanding person and we wish him and his family nothing but the very best. We can’t wait to see Joe back on The Flats very soon.”
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