Former Kentucky receiver Chris Lewis is '100% cancer free'

How about some excellent news to get the football weekend rolling, Big Blue Nation? Remember Chris Lewis, the promising young wide receiver at Kentucky who followed Jon Sumrall to Troy in 2023 where he was named Third Team All-Sun Belt after racking up 735 yards and 10 touchdowns on 32 catches?

His story then took a turn for the worse in Alabama when he was diagnosed with osteosarcoma this past offseason, forcing him to miss the 2024 college football season. A mass behind Lewis’ left knee was discovered following Troy’s victory in the Sun Belt title game after experiencing discomfort, leading to the diagnosis.

“I was just lost,” the former Wildcat said at the time. “How did that happen? I was lost for words. It was a lot of questions.”

Lewis underwent 10 weeks of chemotherapy before having the tumor surgically removed from his femur in the spring, followed by another 10 weeks of chemotherapy. Fast forward to September and the standout receiver is proud to announce he has wrapped up treatment and is “100% cancer free.”

The Troy junior announced the positive news on social media Thursday afternoon.

Officially finished with treatment‼️
100% cancer Free 🙏🏾

— 6 (@ChrisLew__) September 19, 2024

Lewis set up a GoFundMe in March to help cover the medical expenses, raising over $20K toward his $150K goal. The link remains active if Big Blue Nation wants to chip in here.

“Even with insurance, the financial burdens of battling cancer are significant for anyone, especially for a college student like me, as I have out-of-pocket expenses for treatment and medications essential in my fight,” Lewis wrote on his GoFundMe page. “I’ve worked closely with Troy Athletics to ensure that all donations comply with NCAA rules and that once I beat cancer, I can return to the football field.”

The former Wildcat ranked 16th in the nation with 10 touchdown catches while leading the country with 22.97 yards per catch as a sophomore. He was a regular SportsCenter Top 10 playmaker, highlighted by the Nos. 1 and 2 plays of the night following his three-touchdown effort against South Alabama.

Prior to his time at Troy, Lewis played in four games at Kentucky during his redshirt season in 2021 before following that up with two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown in 2022. He signed as a former top-500 recruit nationally and the No. 72 player at his position in the class of ’21, picking the Cats over Oregon, Texas A&M, Notre Dame, Ole Miss and South Carolina, among others.

Now, he’s looking to get back on the football field after kicking cancer’s ass.

Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat. Go get ’em, Chris.