Iowa State DL Mitchell Meyers diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma

AMES - Iowa State defensive lineman Mitchell Meyers has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, Iowa State coach Paul Rhoads announced Thursday. Meyers is scheduled to begin treatment on Friday.

ISU team physician Dr. Marc Shulman said the normal treat process lasts at least fourth months.

'Mitchell's diagnosis is very treatable with a 90 percent curable rate,” Shulman said in an ISU release. 'He is already in the process of beginning chemotherapy treatments. More positives for Mitchell is that he is in excellent shape and he has an outstanding support system surrounding him.”

'Mitchell's immediate health is our most important concern right now,” Rhoads said in the release. 'I have no doubt that Mitchell will attack this with a positive mindset and strong determination. He also will have 100 percent support from the Iowa State football family and Cyclone Nation.”

Meyers, from The Woodlands, Texas, started 12 games in 2014 on the defensive line, making him one of just four players to start every game for the Cyclones. He collected 30 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss while being named First-Team Academic All-Big 12 for the second season in a row.

'I want to thank everyone for the support and encouragement I have received,” Meyers said in a statement released by Iowa State. 'I am determined to embrace the process and fight this with a positive attitude. I have decided to stay here in Ames for my treatments so I can remain in school and be around my teammates. I have the greatest teammates in the world. It's been humbling to see their care and words of encouragement. I would love to be able to play football at Iowa State again, but right now my focus is on my health.”