The Press Box Sports Syracuse QB Rex Culpepper is cancer free; cleared for the field
The Syracuse football team received some great news on Friday. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Rex Culpepper is now cancer free after receiving extensive chemotherapy for testicular cancer. Culpepper walked out of the Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL and said he couldn’t describe the euphoria he felt after the medical staff took the IV out. He described the moment as, “I can’t even put it into words. It felt like beating Clemson.” It was an emotional time for the Culpepper family along with being a huge sigh of relief. “Cancer is in the rearview mirror. I’m 100 percent cured,” Culpepper said at a press conference on Friday.
Now Culpepper has another challenge in getting back into football shape. The Tampa native now can focus on his collegiate football career. The Orange is set at quarterback with Eric Dungey, but Culpepper will compete with redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito as the number two guy. He’s played in four games with Syracuse including one start against Boston College last season. Culpepper went 24-of-34 for 280 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in that game. For his career, Culpepper has completed 60 percent of his 75 pass attempts for 518 yards.
The news is a big positive step forward as Culpepper seems to be the future of Syracuse football. Not only is the Orange getting back a good quarterback, but they also are getting back an inspiration. Syracuse went 4-8 in 2017 and looks to build off a few positives they had last season. Besides beating Clemson, the news about Culpepper is another huge victory.
It’s unlikely that Culpepper will overtake Dungey for the starting job, but he will have a mental advantage. After all of the heartache, worry, and frustration he’s dealt with, playing football should be a cinch. Culpepper has a very short time to get into football before summer camp, but I think a guy like Rex Culpepper will be ready to go come August. After all, he’s beat cancer and that says a lot about a person.
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