Patriots left tackle Nate Solder didn’t go public with a diagnosis of testicular cancer last season, choosing to have surgery before returning to the field to help the Patriots to a Super Bowl title.
Solder has since revealed how he dealt with the disease and urged men to be vigilant about their health, a message he repeated while talking to the media at the Patriots’ facility on Tuesday. Solder offered thanks for the support he got from team officials, his teammates and his doctors during an experience that he said “changes your perspective a little bit.”
Solder was able to concentrate on football last year and he said he’ll be able to do the same this year despite an expiring contract. Solder said he wants to remain in New England, but said he won’t be stressing about his deal.
“Who knows what will happen? My approach with that too is just to do the best that I can while I’m here. You have to [live in the present] there’s too many unknowns,” Solder said, via WEEI.com.
Solder has been a fixture up front for the Patriots since arriving in the first round of the 2011 draft so you’d expect the team to have interest in an extension that allows him to continue in that role for a few more years.