After becoming a de facto football star while playing at LSU, catching 52 passes for a total 629 yards, tight end (TE) Foster Moreau was drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders (then the Oakland Raiders) in 2019. In 2022, Moreau finished his season with 33 receptions, 420 receiving yards, and 2 touchdowns. 

2023 may not see the same results from Moreau. That’s because he is now battling a greater foe than any football team he could face: his Hodgkin’s lymphoma diagnosis.

Sports Illustrated reported in late March 2023 that Moreau, in his free agency period, was searching for a potential new team. Part of this is undergoing routine physicals to assess his overall health and wellness. During one of these physicals with the New Orleans Saints, doctors discovered something concerning. Further tests identified exactly which form of cancer Moreau was facing.

25-year-old Moreau has decided to take some time off from football as he undergoes treatment. He hopes that his valiant battle will put him out on top and he’ll be back on the field before we know it. 

What is Hodgkin’s Lymphoma?

Also known as Hodgkin’s disease or Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a rare cancer that begins in a part of the immune system known as the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system contains the spleen, thymus, tonsils, lymph nodes, and lymph, a clear liquid that contains white blood cells called lymphocytes. This cancer, which accounts for less than 1% of cancer cases in the country, prevents the body from adequately fighting infections. It also causes a host of other health issues.

Typically, Hodgkin’s lymphoma manifests in people between 15-40 years old. It can happen in people who are older or younger than this range, but it is much rarer. Risk factors include being male, being immunocompromised, having a family history of Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. Symptoms may, but do not always, include:

• Swollen lymph nodes, often in the neck, armpits, chest, abdomen, or groin
• Unintentional weight loss
• Enlarged liver and/or spleen
• Fatigue and lethargy
• Itchy skin
• Appetite loss
• Fever and chills
• Drenching night sweats 
• Bone pain

Treatments depend on the cancer stage. Chemotherapy and radiation are most common, but immunotherapy and stem cell transplants may also be used.