Houston's John Metchie III Named Week 5 NFLPA Community MVP
WASHINGTON, D.C. – John Metchie III has been named the Week 5 NFLPA Community MVP after he surprised his hospital family with a special evening at the Houston Texans stadium. The event was Metchie’s way of saying thanks to those who have supported him throughout his cancer treatment as he battles a curable form of leukemia.
“It is a great honor to be recognized as the Week 5 NFLPA Community MVP” said Metchie, who is just the second rookie to earn this honor. “I just want to continue making a difference where I can.”
Three months after being diagnosed with Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia, Metchie welcomed his nurses and a fellow patient to NRG Stadium on Monday for a special celebration. The second-round draft pick out of Alabama gave the group a tour of the stadium, took pictures on the field, handed out gifts and signed Texans gear before concluding the night with dinner in the team café.
Since his health diagnosis in July, just days before the start of training camp, Metchie has leaned on his faith, family, teammates and “hospital family” to help get through treatments. The relationships he has created with his fellow patients not only provide much-needed mental and emotional support, but they also have given him a renewed perspective on life.
“Just knowing that no matter what situation you’re in, how down you are or up you are, it’s always a blessing to be able to be a blessing to somebody else,” Metchie said.
Though he is unlikely to play this season, that has not stopped Metchie from working out at the Texans facility and attending both practices and games as he recovers. He is also using his time to encourage early cancer screenings through the NFL’s “We See You” campaign. Along with 22 other players, Metchie will serve as an ambassador for the American Cancer Society as he champions the fight against cancer during the NFL’s Crucial Catch campaign this month.
In honor of Metchie being named this week’s Community MVP, the NFLPA will make a $10,000 contribution to his charity or foundation of choice. Metchie will also take part in a virtual or in-person visit to a school or children’s hospital. Along with the other 2022 Community MVPs, he will also become eligible for this year’s Alan Page Community Award, which is the highest honor that the NFLPA can bestow upon a player.
The Community MVP campaign is part of the NFLPA’s continued efforts to support the year-round, civic outreach and engagement of its player members. Please visit the NFLPA Community MVP website to learn more about the program.
2022 NFLPA Community MVP winners:
Week 1: Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns
Week 2: Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Week 3: Cody Davis, New England Patriots
Week 4: Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Week 5: John Metchie III, Houston Texans
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About the NFL Players Association:
The National Football League Players Association is the union for professional football players in the National Football League. Established in 1956, the NFLPA has a long history of assuring proper recognition and representation of players’ interests. The NFLPA has shown that it will do whatever is necessary to assure that the rights of players are protected—including ceasing to be a union, if necessary, as it did in 1989. In 1993, the NFLPA again was officially recognized as the union representing the players and negotiated a landmark Collective Bargaining Agreement with the NFL. The current CBA will govern the sport through the 2030 season. Learn more at www.nflpa.com.