Trent Williams Opens Up About Having Cancer, Says He Lost 'Trust' With Redskins After They Said it Was Minor

The lineman had surgery to remove a tumor from his skull this offseason.

October 31, 2019

UPDATED 10/31/19, 7:31 p.m. ET: The Redskins have released a statement on Trent Williams's claims that the team underestimated his cancerous growth. The teams says they've "requested that the NFL's Management Council convene a joint committee with the NFLPA to review the medical records and the medical care given to Trent Williams."

See original story below.

Washington Redskins offensive lineman Trent Williams revealed that he was diagnosed with cancer this offseason. Williams told reporters he had a growth removed from his skull over the summer, one that nearly killed him.

"I almost lost my life," he told the press.

Williams failed a physical earlier this week due to not being able to wear a helmet comfortably. He has requested a trade from the Redskins and all signs point toward his desire to move on stemming from the way they handled his medical emergency.

Reporter Jason La Canfora shared at the time that Williams was unhappy with the team's treatment, though his cancer diagnosis was unknown outside of the organization.

After revealing that he's been fighting cancer, Williams noted the team found something wrong nearly 6 years ago and underplayed it.

"I was told it was something minor, so I didn't really question it," Williams said of the team's assessment, per NBC Sports. "The diagnosis that they gave me in the beginning, they kind of underestimated it."

Williams said the handling of his issue plus contract uncertainty with the Redskins made him hold out.

"What I went through health-wise took me away from the game for a minute, anyway. When it pertains to that, just that and the contract status was a thing as well," he said, according to Bleacher Report. "You know, playing with no guaranteed money, I don't think any, any premier player would want to do that, especially not in the game we play today."