Shon Coleman of Auburn was drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft. (Getty)
Six years ago, Shon Coleman was in a fight for his life battling cancer.
Now he’s been drafted into the NFL.
The left tackle from Auburn was selected in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Coleman Was Diagnosed With Cancer in 2010
Coleman was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the spring of 2010, his senior year in high school at Olive Branch in Memphis, Tennessee.
He was treated at the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. The battle took two years.
Coleman Was cleared by doctors for limited practice in 2012, but didn’t play while redshirting. The NCAA gave him an extra year of eligibility so he could play his full four years.
2. He Was Selected by the Browns in the 3rd Round
Coleman, a left tackle at Auburn, was selected 76th overall (13th pick of the 3rd round) by the Cleveland Browns in the 2016 NFL Draft.
The 6-foot-5, 307-pound Coleman started 25 of 32 career games at Auburn after starting as a backup in 2013.
In 2014, he was an SEC Academic Honor Roll selection and in 2015 he garnered second-team All-SEC honors.
3. Coleman Got the News When He Was at the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Where he Was Treated
Coleman got the call from the Browns while at a watch party at the St. Jude Hospital, the one where he received his cancer treatment.
He told ESPN shortly after being selected:
It’s awesome just to be back here. There are so many kids, it’s unbelievable what this program (St. Jude) is doing. Just to come back here and give back and let people see what I’m going through right now. It’s inspirational for their dreams. (I told them) you can be anything you want to be. I was in their shoes and them looking up to me and seeing what I’m going through right now, that really helps a kid out a lot. Anything for that I’m willing to do.
He got the call!
Shon Coleman beat cancer, now is ready to dominate in the NFL.
4. He Has a Masters in Adult Education from Auburn
Coleman is also pretty determined in the classroom.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in Public Administration in May 2014.
Then kept going.
Coleman received his master’s in Adult Education in December of last year.
5. Coleman Appeared at the 2014 NFL Draft to Introduce a Player
After defeating cancer, Coleman was invited to announce a selection in the 2014 NFL Draft in New York City.
He announced the 14th pick that year, which the Rams used on Pittsburgh defensive lineman Aaron Donald.
Before making the pick announcement, Coleman said:
I want people that’s going through my situation, or has been through my situation, just view me and know that you can always get through anything. I hope it can be an encouraging experience for anybody that’s going through the same situation I did.
Two years later, Coleman is an NFL player himself.
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