INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts punter Rigoberto Sanchez announced Monday in an Instagram post that he will undergo surgery Tuesday to remove a cancerous tumor.
Sanchez wrote that he is grateful his doctors found the tumor before it spread throughout his body.
"I know that it will not be an easy bump on the road, but I know I have my amazing wife supporting me along with family, coaches, and friends reaching out," Sanchez wrote.
Sanchez has spent the past four seasons with the Colts after a two-year career at the University of Hawaii.
"Unfortunately, there are things you can't control in life and this is one of them," Sanchez said. "No plans or preparation would have gotten me ready for this kind of adversity, but like I told my wife, we can't flinch. Keep striving to come back stronger than ever."
Sanchez punted five times for an average of 50.8 yards in the Colts' 45-26 loss to Tennessee on Sunday.
"Makes me sick that I’ll have to miss some time playing beside my brothers, but I know they will hold it down," he wrote. I will be watching. Love y’all."