Fifteen-year-old Macy Fowler is used to overcoming odds. After all, she’s a starting linebacker for the freshman football team at Ravenwood High School in Brentwood, TN. In late fall Macy’s world was rocked when she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoma cancer.
Macy Fowler starts as a linebacker for the Ravenwood Raptors freshman football team. She was recently diagnosed with cancer (Christian Taylor/2020)
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Macy’s dad, former Tennessee Titan, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Jets linebacker, Ryan Fowler, is also accustomed to overcoming the odds to compete on the gridiron. But when Ryan has to watch his little girl battle a disease within her body, this tough guy’s tender emotions are exposed. However, both Macy and Ryan are strong and have a plan to help Macy defeat the demons of cancer. Along with her dad, Macy’s mom, Stacy and her little sister Ella Grace are there for her.
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In mid-December of 2020, Macy began the first of six treatments. She has already completed her fourth treatment and is doing well. She’s hoping there’s time to get back in shape before her sophomore year begins so she can compete for a job on the Ravenwood varsity squad. Nonetheless, Macy isn’t deterred by her diagnosis or the treatment protocol. Regardless of whether she ever plays organized sports again, Macy is using the traits taught to her by her mom and dad to overcome anything obstacle in her way.
“I believe everything happens for a reason,” Macy told Brentwood Lifestyle after recovering from her first treatment for cancer in early December. “I try and keep a positive attitude regardless of the circumstances, and fighting cancer is no different. Like a football game, you’ve got to prepare for battle and leave everything you have on the field for four quarters.”
Listen to our conversation as I talk to Macy and Ryan about how work ethic, hustle and intensity can help in the classroom, on the football field, or fighting cancer.