Now, this week is even bigger than the year they’ve both had: Leah got word that Friday, January 8th would be her final cancer treatment and her defensive lineman father announced on Wednesday that he signed a futures contract with the Houston Texans for the 2016 season.
MUST READ: Devon Still Gives Daughter Amazing Pep Talk Before Cancer Treatment
Both pieces of news come after Leah became an inspiring figure in her fight against pediatric cancer, helping to raise more than a million dollars for cancer research, winning an ESPY Award for her courage, and inspiring hundreds of thousands along the way. During that time, the Cincinnati Bengals kept Still on the practice squad so that Leah would have medical coverage. The Bengals had since cut him after Leah’s health was looking up. Without knowing their next move, the family still pressed on continued to inspire others with fearless fight against cancer.
A photo posted by Devon Still (@man_of_still75) on
During her long journey back to health, Leah made an impression on may of her followers and fans. One famous fn in particular, LeBron James, Leah also made a strong impression on who is a father of a young daughter himself: He poured in 34 points in the win with Leah in attendance.
A video posted by Devon Still (@man_of_still75) on
“I knew she was going to be there tonight, and her and Zhuri, my baby girl, are my two favorite women in the world,” explains LeBron. “They’re just unbelievable. I know my mom and my wife will be…… a little bit jealous, but they got to take a back seat to those two. Just her strength and her courage and what she’s been through over the last few years, man, it’s uplifting to all of us, and it’s always great seeing her, for sure.”
“I got a daughter, and then just also being a father and seeing what Devon was going through at the time to keep that strength and keep his composure when his daughter was going through what she was going through, it just resonated, man. And from that point on, we became good friends, and I’m good friends with Devon.”
“Obviously, Leah is like a little sister of mine, or maybe she probably wishes I was like a dad to her, too. You know, like I said, it’s always great seeing her.”