Despite being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, Avery Henry is planning to travel with the Ohio State football team to Atlanta next week.
Ryan Day said Wednesday that Henry is intending to be with the team for the Peach Bowl and that he and the Ohio State football program plan to do everything they can to support the freshman offensive tackle after his recent bone cancer diagnosis, though they also want to give him space when he needs it.
“Trying to give Avery as much space as we can during this time, but also know that he's got a whole team behind him that's gonna help him through this fight,” Day said. “He's gonna be down there in Atlanta with us, God willing, and still be with the team. That's the hope. And we're just going to be a part of this fight with him. So I know the whole team's behind him.”
While Day said the diagnosis “came out of nowhere” for Henry and “his life got rocked,” Day said he is hopeful being at Ohio State will help Henry with the battle he now has in front of him. Ohio State’s James Cancer Hospital is ranked as one of the top 25 cancer hospitals in America, and Day wants Henry to be able to lean on his teammates and coaches for support whenever he needs to.
“I told the guys after it happened, things like this give you perspective in life, too,” Day said. “And this is a reason why you get into coaching is to have an impact on young people and help Avery fight this battle. But like we talked about with his family, there's a reason why you're here, there's a reason why you're a Buckeye. And maybe because along the way, you needed the James hospital, you need Buckeye Nation, you need this team to help you win this fight, and we're here for you.”
It certainly looks as though Henry has received that support from the Buckeyes so far, as a multitude of players and coaches shared messages for Henry on social media after he announced his diagnosis Monday.
We with you bro Love you https://t.co/EQZXQqnyH4
— EP (@evanpryor3) December 20, 2022
Love you bro we all got your back
— Luke Montgomery (@lukeMonty8) December 20, 2022
You got this brother we all here for ya!! https://t.co/ckSq0fjTvh
— Dallan Hayden5 (@dallanhayden5) December 20, 2022
Love you brother!! https://t.co/sGlPXGP8PP
— Bennett Christian (@BennettC87) December 20, 2022
We love you brother, we are with you in this fight!
— Paris Johnson Jr. (@ParisJohnsonJr) December 20, 2022
Love you bro! We gone fight right with you together
— TreVeyon Henderson (@TreVeyonH4) December 20, 2022
Love ya brotha https://t.co/LQRuptP4Qy
— Javontae Jean-Baptiste (@Javontae_JB) December 20, 2022
Love bro ! Were gonna fight this fight with you every step of the way
— Teradja Mitchell (@teeraaw__) December 20, 2022
Were all here for you brother
— Mason Maggs (@masonmaggs) December 20, 2022
On behalf of the Ohio State Football family, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time https://t.co/2BlEQgdM9H
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 20, 2022
— Coach Tony Alford (@CoachTonyAlford) December 20, 2022
A GoFundMe has been created by Henry’s aunt to help Henry’s family members pay for travel expenses so that they can be with Henry during his treatments.
