What It Takes

In 2011 he became starting linebacker for the New York Giants and triumphed in the Super Bowlafter being told his cancer diagnosis meant he would never play football again....As a child Herzlich found an inspiring and grounding force in football eventually turning his passion into a first-team All-American spot at Boston College. But after being named the conferences top defensive player his junior season the budding star was sidelined by a persistent debilitating pain in his left leg.After months of tests Herzlich received a shocking diagnosis: He had Ewings sarcoma a rare bone cancer. Doctors put his odds of survival as low as fifteen percentand no one thought he would be able to run much less play again. Then Herzlich learned of a radical alternative treatment that would give him the best chance to regain his strength and maybe even play football again. He had a choice to make one that would allow him the chance to return to the game he loved but it came at the risk of his life.Herzlich relied on family friends faith and deep wells of determination to help him through treatment and his drastic plan worked. Not only could he run but he was stronger than ever physically and mentally ready to battle his way to a spot on an NFL roster. When he was passed over by all 32 teams in the draft he dug deeper and continued his training winning a spot in the Giants training camp and eventually on the team.Mark Herzlich fought a battle against cancer against statistics and some days against himself. Told with candor and raw emotion this is a story for anyone who has ever fought to beat the odds for anyone who has ever been told that what they are about to attempt is next to impossible.Herzlichs story embodies powerful lessons about what can be achieved through persistence and belief and he serves as living proof that overcoming the impossible is only the beginning.With a foreword by New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin