Houston Texans offensive lineman David Quessenberry is appreciating every moment of his football career since returning to practice last week for the first time since being diagnosed with cancer in June 2014.
Quessenberry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, but finished chemotherapy treatment in April.
The 26-year-old reflected on his first week back with the Texans in an interview with Peter King of The MMQB.
"I woke up every day this week, and my neck was sore, fingers banged up, legs are tired and achy, I was having to drink so much water and Gatorade, sweating in the Texas sun … loving every minute of it," Quessnberry said. "Really, I almost forgot how much I love this feeling, the bruises on arms, the sore shins, that sting you feel when you make a block. I missed it so much."
Quessenberry said his return to action sunk in when he lined up against teammates and standout pass-rushers J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
"There’s 99 (Watt) and 90 (Clowney),” Quessenberry said. "We're just in a jog through. But I'm thinking: I got butterflies right now! I haven’t felt this excited about a play in years. But then: 'Okay man, this is where you're at, you're back. You're not trying to maintenance chemo, you're not just working out. You are staring across at a couple of the best players in the league. Time to play football.'"
