Texas A&M legend RC Slocum corrects 'confusion' about his health

Some crossed signals on the Internet caused former Texas A&M head coach RC Slocum to issue a clarification of sorts on Twitter about his current health.

Slocum battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2021, eventually beating the cancer. However, reports of that original battle with cancer began circulating on the Internet again on Wednesday, leading to the clarification.

“There is some confusion about my health,” RC Slocum wrote on Twitter. “An old report from two years ago has surfaced about my bout with cancer. With the help of prayers from everywhere and the great people at MD Anderson I have been cancer free for going on two years. Next check up 1/30/24.”

The former Aggies coach was diagnosed with the cancer back in June 2021. He underwent treatment to eradicate it and was cleared following that treatment in November 2021.

Slocum even rang the bell at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center on camera to celebrate.

I've seen a lot of wins over the years, but seeing R.C.Slocm ring the bell at Baylor Scott and White this afternoon signaling the completion of his cancer treatment was a special victory! We'll hear from @rcslocum at 6 and 10 on @KBTXSports @KBTXNews pic.twitter.com/csqcOBFRKA

— KBTX News (@KBTXNews) November 29, 2021

RC Slocum, now 79, served as Texas A&M’s head coach from 1989-2002, compiling an overall record of 123-47-2 with three bowl wins. He got his start with the Aggies’ program in 1972.

Still Texas A&M’s all-time winningest coach, Slocum was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Slocum’s 123 wins in his first 14 seasons ranked eighth all-time at the close of his career joining the likes of Barry Switzer (137), Tom Osborne (137), Steve Spurrier (132), Joe Paterno (131), LaVell Edwards (129), Amos Alonzo Stagg (128) and Bud Wilkinson (124).

At the time of his 100th win, Slocum had reached that milestone quicker than any other active head coach. Slocum reached the mark in his eighth game of his 11th season, while Joe Paterno had reached 100 wins in the ninth game of his 11th year. The 14 years as an Aggie head coach tied Slocum with Homer Norton, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, for the longest head coaching rein in A&M history and Slocum’s combined 30 years (16 as an assistant coach at Texas A&M) is the longest football coaching tenure in school history. 

He was inducted into the National Football Foundation & College Football Hall of Fame in 2012.