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On the heels of the big Hardy Cup win for the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, the team has announced that one of its starting players is facing a serious challenge.
In a statement released by the team, Anton Amundrud, 23, has been diagnosed with lymphoma, a type of cancer.
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During an interview ahead of team practice on Thursday, Scott Flory, Huskies head coach, said breaking the news to the team was difficult.
“My heart goes (out) to his family and to him (Anton) and what he’s going through and what he’s dealing with. He’s not doing it alone. He’s got a whole bunch of brothers here to help, and support and to love him,” he said.
Flory last visited Amundrud on Monday and Wednesday at the hospital.
“The kid’s a fighter. He’s ready. He’s ready for it and your heart breaks for him. He doesn’t deserve this,” he added.
Flory said the starting quarterback is always positive, and it’s difficult to rattle him, but it did take a “little bit of a road” to come to a diagnosis.
“He wasn’t clear to play, there was something going on. It was just a matter of trying to figure out what the heck was happening,” Flory said.
Amundrud, who’s from Lloydminster and a fourth-year College of Arts and Science student, guided the team to a 4-1 start and has been named to the 2025 Canada West All-Star team.
As for the Mitchell Bowl at Griffiths Stadium on Saturday versus the Queen’s University Gaels, Flory said they’ll be ready on the field, but they also care about their teammate.
“We just want him to be healthy. We want him to be better… we just love that kid. We want him to be OK,” he said.
Teammate, friend and Huskie running back Ryker Frank said he also visited Amundrud recently.
“He’s a really stubborn guy, and I think that’s gonna help him on this… all he wants to do is get out on this field,” he said. “He’s gonna use that stubbornness to his advantage, I think.”
According to the team’s statement, Amundrud and his family are now asking for privacy as he begins his treatment.
Anyone who would like to send a note of encouragement can email the team at huskie.football@usask.ca
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