Saints among hundreds buying Bengal's jersey to help cancer research
If there's one thing the NFL could use these days, it's positive news.
Thankfully, the Devon Still saga with the Cincinnati Bengals continues to spin a heartwarming tale.
Still, who rejoined the Bengals' active roster on Wednesday, had previously been released from the team but later was re-signed to the practice squad so Still could continue to pay for medical treatment for his 4-year-old daughter Leah, a pediatric cancer patient.
Then, when the Bengals decided on Monday to donate proceeds from his jersey sales to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati and pediatric cancer care and research, the No. 75 jersey quickly became the team's top seller.
"I was amazed," Still said on Wednesday. "I was shocked. Just the fact that it sold more in 24 hours than any Bengals jersey, it shows how much the world of sports has an impact on what's going on in this world."
Still is grateful that the Bengals have supported him while he struggled rather than releasing him.
"I'm not going to lie, I thought just like everybody else: This is a business," Still said. "For them to be behind me this much is amazing to me and it's definitely changed my perspective on the world of sports."
The national support has been gratifying as well.
"One of the main things I wanted to do was raise awareness for pediatric cancer," Still said. "I didn't want her fight to be for no reason. I wanted to bring light upon every family and every child who's going through this same battle so that they can receive help from outside people."
The Bengals tweeted out this video message from Still thanking fans for their support, and Still himself tweeted out a big thanks to the Saints organization, which ordered 100 jerseys to support the cause.
Fans -- even some of other NFL teams -- also tweeted out plenty of support to Still and his daughter Leah.
A message from @Dev_Still71. Proceeds from Still jersey sales at http://t.co/kOuwYDKmCN benefit @CincyChildrens https://t.co/nYkZYkcCw8
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) September 10, 2014
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
@Dev_Still71 Just pledged for sacks. We're going to raise a ton for your girl and every kid fighting cancer. She'll beat this! Who Dey!
— Eric Wais (@EricWais) September 11, 2014
Had to pre-order & now wait 4 October til my @Dev_Still71 jersey arrives. Never been so anxious to wear a non-@Chargers jersey! #OneTeam
— Danielle Loiodice (@mrs_loiodice) September 10, 2014
. @Dev_Still71 you're doing a great thing! Helping save kids like your daughter & my brother. #PediatricCancerAwarenessMonth #RaiseAwareness
— Katelyn Cockerham (@katelynlockhart) September 10, 2014
Bout to purchase a @Dev_Still71 Jersey !! #SupportLeah @CincyChildrens
— SuckaFree ™ (@iBesuckaFree) September 10, 2014
Couldn't wish any happier thoughts to a class act in @Dev_Still71 #whodey nation is behind you brother
— Rollie Patterson (@RJP513) September 10, 2014
@Dev_Still71 hey, my biggest support from argentina
— Gonzalito (@gonza259) September 10, 2014
Just walked into #Bengals pro shop. Phones ringing off hook. And NOW this: #Saints just ordered 100 Devon Still jerseys. #NFL
— Jeremy Rauch (@FOX19Jeremy) September 10, 2014
6yrs ago today I lost my dad to #cancer. Today I help fight back, by supporting children's cancer research n buying a @Dev_Still71 jersey!
— Brett Stanko (@brettstanko23) September 10, 2014