lofton leaving lasting impression

If Chris Lofton’s legacy as one of the most popular University of Tennessee athletes ever to wear an orange jersey was in any kind of doubt before, his revelation last week that he privately battled testicular cancer during the summer between his junior and senior college basketball seasons officially cemented his place in Vols lore for the ages.

Lofton, who was named the Southeastern Conference’s Most Valuable Player following his junior season but got off to a confounding slow start to his senior campaign before finally getting untracked and helping lead the Vols to their most wins in program history, explained publicly for the first time the extreme peaks and valleys he’s privately endured over the past year. Lofton, whose quiet and workmanlike demeanor has endeared him to UT hoops fans since he was signed after the 2005 season, said it was important for him to keep his diagnosis with cancer, and his subsequent road to recovery, out of the public eye.

“I would like to thank everyone for respecting my privacy during the past year and I hope that they continue to do so,” Lofton remarked at a press conference a day after the story was initially reported by espn.com. “This has been a very difficult time for me and my family but it has brought us closer together. I have been very blessed that we were able to catch everything so early so that now I am OK.”

Lofton’s cancer reportedly signaled a positive result on a random drug test that was ordered by the NCAA during the 2007 NCAA Tournament. Lofton and his family were first told of the possibility of cancer by members of the UT coaching staff and administration in the wee hours following the Vols’ Sweet 16 loss to Ohio State on March 22, 2007.

Lofton decided right away that he wanted to fight the battle on his own terms. He didn’t want the distraction of being asked about his illness repeatedly by the media and he didn’t want anyone use his cancer as an excuse. Lofton kept his predicament a secret, telling only his parents, Pearl, teammate Jordan Howell, and a small number of university officials.

Lofton underwent a successful surgery to remove the cancer within a week of his diagnosis. He spent several grueling weeks during the summer of 2007 going through radiation treatments and is now considered cancer-free.

Pearl said respecting Lofton’s wishes of keeping his battle with cancer private was very trying at times last summer and early in the 2007-08 basketball season.

“There was a point this past season that I was asked about Chris Lofton’s health almost every day,” said Pearl. “While knowing all the underlying issues, the Lofton family requested that we respect their privacy as part of the HIPPA laws regarding the release of medical information.”

Pearl said Lofton’s determination and courage are remarkable.

“Chris Lofton is one of the toughest players I have ever been around,” the UT coach commented. “Not once did he make an issue of what he has gone through. Never once did he complain.”

One of the most impressive aspects of Lofton’s recovery, according to Pearl, was how he steadfastly worked to get back to himself after taking such a physical blow from the radiation treatments, never once making excuses for himself when he was struggling to get going early last season.

“I think that his health issues were a factor in his play early this season,” Pearl added. “He physically and mentally overcame all of the challenges associated with battling cancer and serves as a tremendous role model to all of us.

“Even with everything he has gone through, he will go down in history as one of the best basketball players at the University of Tennessee,” Pearl continued. “One day his jersey will hang in the rafters alongside some of the greats like Ernie Grunfeld and Bernard King. It was an honor, privilege and joy to coach number five.”