Chiefs' Eric Berry recovers from lymphoma, wins comeback award
SAN FRANCISCO - Kansas City safety Eric Berry, who missed 10 games the previous season battling lymphoma, then returned to the Chiefs to become an All-Pro, has won The Associated Press NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.
Berry's inspirational story and superb performance on the field earned him 38 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who regularly cover the league. Berry was a mainstay on a Kansas City defense that sparked a 10-game winning streak during the regular season.
In an emotional acceptance speech, Berry acknowledged his struggle to overcome his disease and get back on the football field.
''Everybody, just live out your dreams. Don't let anything come in between,'' Berry said.
''I'm truly honored, truly blessed, truly thankful to be standing here before you all. ... It was some tough times. It was some times where I felt like I couldn't do it anymore. ... There was a lot of rough times, a lot of rough nights, a lot of lonely nights.''
He easily outdistanced Arizona quarterback Carson Palmer, who came back from knee surgery to lead the Cardinals to a 13-3 regular season. Palmer received six votes.
All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson, who sat out all but one game in 2014 in a child abuse case, led the NFL in rushing.
Berry's win was announced Saturday night at the NFL Honors show.
- With files from theScore