The story of John Metchie is enough to bring tears to eyes of every Alabama football fan.
He played the game the right way at the University of Alabama under Nick Saban.
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The native Canadian arrived on campus in 2019 and helped the Crimson Tide to two Southeastern Conference Championship in 2020 and 2021. Metchie was on Alabama’s undefeated College Football Playoff National Championship team in 2020.
He was one of the more underrated wide receivers in school history, but many did not know how tough he was until adversity hit him before the start of his rookie season in the National Football League. Metchie was selected in the second round (No. 44 overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He was diagnosed with leukemia and missed his rookie year.
This situation would have dampened anyone else’s hopes, yet Metchie kept a smile on his face.
He battled back to return to the field in 2023 and won the George Halas Award in 2024 for overcoming adversity.
Metchie would have a special moment Sunday versus theDetroit Lions as he caught his first career touchdown pass since beating cancer. He made the play from C.J. Stroud and finished with five catches for 74 receiving yards, regardless of Houston falling short 23-26 to the Lions. Metchie celebrated the moment in the second quarter with his teammates as it was a long time coming.
Stroud. Metchie. TOUCHDOWN!
That’s his first career TD catch 🙌
📺: #DETvsHOU on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/OrlPB7UHjE— NFL (@NFL) November 11, 2024
He even got the opportunity to be part of “Bama on Bama” crime as Metchie caught his touchdown with Terrion Arnold, a former Alabama cornerback, defending him. He was a champion in college, he has defeated an illness, and now he is living his dream.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
