HOUSTON – Texans defensive end Dylan Horton endured a grueling medical ordeal over the past several months.
Diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma as a rookie last season, Horton was placed on the non-football illness list while he underwent treatment. Now, Horton is in remission. He recently celebrated an important medical milestone, completing his final treatment by ringing the bell at the hospital.
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The Texans recognized Horton during a team meeting Tuesday, drawing applause as his teammates stand behind the former fourth-round draft pick from TCU.
“What a special moment for Dylan,” Horton said. “For me to see him ring the bell, it brings a tear to your eye just to know a young man whose career is ahead of him, he is just going along playing football and at the drop of a dime that changes That is for all of us. Life changes at an instant, at a moment, but it is about how you respond and Dylan has responded tremendously.
“His attitude has been off the charts throughout this entire process, and I think a lot of us have a lot to learn from Dylan Horton. I know a lot of us have people who are battling cancer or have been through it or have been going through it themselves, but I think Dylan is such an inspiration to know that whatever you are battling, whatever you are going through if you attack it with a positive attitude, the right mindset, you too can overcome it. That is what Dylan was able to do.”
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans on Dylan Horton @dhorton_98 inspirational recovery from stage 4 Hodgkin's lymphoma @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/xRCjCipN6n
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 21, 2024
“Glory to God,” Horton wrote on Instagram with a video showing himself ringing the bell. “Final Treatment.”
Horton hopes to resume his NFL career when he’s fully healthy.
“On December 1st, 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Horton said in a statement in March. “Through God’s grace, I’m blessed to say that I’m currently in remission! I am grateful for the love from my family and friends, and support from the Texans organization and my doctors. My next objective is to complete my treatments, then get back to playing the game that I love. Thank you for your prayers and support as I continue this journey.”
#Texans defensive end Dylan Horton, who's in remission from stage 4 Hodgkin lymphoma, has completed his final treatment and rang the bell to celebrate this personal milestone in his recovery. Former @TCUFootball standout ended last season on the non-football illness list and… pic.twitter.com/65kXfMS9nb
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 16, 2024
Horton ended last season on the non-football illness reserve list.
A native of Frisco, Horton, 23, played in 10 games for the AFC South champions. He recorded 13 tackles, one for a loss and two quarterback hits.
“I was happy to have him in our team meeting this morning and highlight him,” Ryans said. “All the guys were clapping for him, and you see the support that he has, all of them. All of the guys that were around him, praying for him, pulling for him, encouraging him along the way.
“That is what life is all about. We get to do football for a living but when real life hits you as something as serious as that and to see a young man overcome it at such a young age, I couldn’t be more proud of him and what he has accomplished. To see him ring that bell was the exciting moment for everyone.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
