Jordan Howell remembers returning to the hotel room he shared with Chris Lofton during the 2007 Sweet 16 in San Antonio.
"It was the night we lost to Ohio State, and when I walked in, Chris was crying," said Howell, a fellow senior with Lofton on the University of Tennessee men's basketball team last season. "As soon as I walked in, he wiped his eyes real quick and acted like nothing was wrong.
"I thought he was crying because we lost."
Howell didn't find out until January that Lofton's Texas tears came after he was informed that he might have cancer.
Lofton underwent surgery on March 28, 2007, and later underwent four weeks of radiation treatment for testicular cancer through May.
"It's amazing; I just never knew about it when it was happening," said Howell, the only UT player to know about Lofton's cancer until recently. "Chris lived with me, and he was working out every day and going through everything with us in the mornings."
Howell said he noticed Lofton's weightlifting numbers and weight dropping in the offseason.
"I just thought maybe he wasn't eating right," he said.
UT coach Bruce Pearl knew better.
"Chris wasn't as big, his numbers were down, and he wasn't as explosive as before because he had been on the shelf," Pearl said. "Watching him continue to work hard with the team was amazing, but that's just Chris.
"He needs to outwork people and know that no one is working as hard as him. Every time he shoots, he knows he has paid the price for that shot, and that's what enables him to expect the next one is going down."
Howell said Lofton tried to break the news to him numerous times before finally consulting with their college pastor around Christmas.
"Chris told me every time he'd start to tell me, he would get choked up and couldn't spit it out," Howell said. "Finally, we went to a dinner together in January, and he told me. I cried all night."
Howell said he kept a journal throughout the past season, and many of his entries involved Lofton's silent battle with cancer.
"I just could not believe he was going through all of this, and he just refused to make excuses when he wasn't shooting as good early in the season," Howell said. "When people said he was in a slump, I wanted to just say: 'Be quiet! You don't know what he's going through.' "
Howell said it's his hope that Lofton's story will inspire other people who have or have had cancer, and that any NBA teams would do well to draft him.
"This is a guy everyone should want on their team," Howell said. "He truly is the hardest worker I have ever seen, and he's a guy who has fought his whole life, even through cancer."
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Comments » 32
stroker writes:
An epoch Vol hero!
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
I bleed orange like no one else and after following Chris' career he was one of my all time favorites. He just moved to the top! what a class winner! Godspeed Chris. I will be praying for you, your career, and your family.
ejanders writes:
What an incredible story! What an incredible person! Chris gave everything he had and more than any of us had a right to expect. Chris, you are one brave young man.
pres1942#366184 writes:
Gad
bless.
You are in his hands and we pray for you daily.
faithfulvol writes:
I am in awe too!!!!!
CoverOrange writes:
Was there a correlation between Howell's slump that started late January and Chris confiding to him? Maybe just a coincidence.
forkball writes:
Very humbling, Chris has always inspired my son with his work ethic. I hope he grows up to be half the man that he is.
eduardo writes:
Unreal! Man this guy, #5, is my all time favorite Vol in all sports. What a story. To overcome the dreaded cancer like he did. To go out and play for his team, his school, the fans. The guy is truly a legend. Long live Chris Lofton, #5. Hang a banner NOW!
parkatlvol writes:
Chris you are a bigger man than most of us could ever dream to be! You are truly an amazing person to have done what you did. I was always a big fan of yours, but honestly this makes you the most complete athlete in my life span I have ever been so proud to be associated with as an Alumni and a die hard UT Fan! God Bless you Chris, and your incredible family!
vollady writes:
I am so sorry that Chris thought it best to keep this private. I just feel that he could have gotten through this whole thing much better if he had just let his Vol "family" surround him with more love, compassion, and care. Cancer is so hard to go through even when surrounded by caring friends and family. He had to really "hurt" when his play was being questioned by so many as to what was "wrong" with his game. Chris, you will never be
forgotten by your Vol family. You can be sure that you will be a legend for many generations to come. God Bless You and your family and I can assure you that there will be many prayers said for you now and in the future.
NYVol writes:
God bless Chris Loften, he did what he had to do on his own terms.
Its poignant to point out at this time that, oddly enough, the folks that regularly post negativisms are no where to be found. Where are the talkers of fritters, kool-aid, foolmers, and other shallow ding-bat idiocy?
When it comes to compassion, a true Vol comes out!
LadyVolsEighTimes writes:
Hamilton needs to name Chris Lofton the First Recipent of the annual Chris Lofton Award. Given to the Vol or Lady Vol that overcame the most adversity to persevere in their quest to represent our University to the entire College Sports Nation.
I was just amazed at how deep Candace Parker must have had to dig to get thru the NCAA Tourney this year. Whatching her shoulder dislocate twice in one game was awful to watch, and a marvel to see her come back in the game. I'm sure Candace and many other players that have fought through injuries are awestruck by CHris Lofton's journey this last year.
Goodvol writes:
Chris,
I'm so proud of you for the way you conducted yourself on and off the field. You amaze me. Thank you for your years at UT and you will forever be the standard all Vols should strive to be.
byobbio writes:
Chris,
This is truly the most remarkable story i've heard. I, too, had cancer many years ago. I think a lot of people wonder why you would want to keep it private but having gone through the same disease, it makes perfect sense to me. Man, i had always felt that you are the most overachieving athlete I've ever watched and thought what a perfect person to have represent the University. And that was before this story broke. Maybe you still wish you could keep the whole ordeal to yourself, but also showing your ultimate class and selflessness, you're willing to share it with the rest of the world to possibly help others. This is without a doubt the true Volunteer spirit. I look forward to seeing you in the NBA. Good Luck, Chris!
GreenbackMike writes:
As a survivor of this very cancer, I can only applaud #5 even more! I was 25 when I was diagnosed. I know how scared and in shock he felt. UT needs to order the banner and get ready to hang it at the Kentucky game next season, it would only be fitting, since that is the team he wanted to beat more than anything. God Bless Chris and thank you for being the role model for our young men that you did not have to be. You are truly one of the few Great people in our world!!!
navyvolinva writes:
This is a MAN! Wow! Not much more I can say..I'll see you in the NBA warrior!
VOLINSC writes:
Its time to name another street on campus. Lofton Lane.
NOLAvol writes:
Usually we become fans of a certain team by accident of birth: because our parents were already fans, or because of the geographic area in which we were born. Sometimes we even become fans of one school in reaction against the arrogance or extremes of another school's fans.
But what a richer heritage belongs to those who became Tennessee fans because of student-athletes like* Peyton Manning, Chamique Holtzclaw ...and this amazing young man, Chris Lofton!
* (There are many others; these are just the most often cited. What an awesome thread that would be... honoring all the life-inspiring Vols we've been privileged to cheer. Indeed, SO MANY of the Lady Vols have been exemplary role-models that they hardly stand out amongst their teammates.)
mtnsvol44 writes:
I wonder how the people who criticized him are feeling now?
VolFan_n_NC writes:
This is one of the most inspiring stories that I've ever heard. Chris has been my favorite basketball player since he stepped foot on the court at TBA and he is now one of my top UT atheletes of all time. His story just shows his character and he truly is a role model for all people. I wish you the best and can't wait to watch you continue your career.
Brama writes:
Good Luck to you in the Future
Chainsaw writes:
Simply a tremendous amount of courage we've seen on display in Chris Lofton. What a man. I'm honored to have had the opportunity to watch him play and will never forget him. God bless you, Chris!
atlvol98 writes:
We were so very fortunate to have you here at Tennessee. I enjoyed watching you so much during your time here. What a player... what a man... Godspeed to you Mr. Lofton.
Alphafemale writes:
This is an amazing story. I can't imagine carrying that kind of burden is silence. This is a lot for a very young man to endure. God must be getting ready to do something very special in his life.
RockyTop1 writes:
I would love to see the SPURS draft him and get Avery Johnson as a coach when "Pop" moves to the front office.
DSaVol writes:
This is a prime example of why folks should be very careful with their criticism of college kids performances. You never know what might be going on in the life of any 18-22 year old that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. Yet everyday we see posts here going after players and their performance. I have been guilty at times myself even though I try to stay off the kids. Perhaps we should all learn something from this and make a pledge to clean up our comments regarding ALL college players. But I promise you there is news on the horizon that will have this board right back where it seems to always be.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
One of the best boards ever. No hater zone. Every time a hater comes up we should run him off.....Have a great day. Chris........Bringin it every day..........
THE_VOL writes:
Hey Griffith! You got scooped on the original story so you jump to the back story eh? Ask yourself this - WHY DID CHRIS GO PUBLIC WITH CHRIS LOW AND NOT YOU WHEN YOU ARE THE SUPPOSED BEAT WRITER ON TOP OF EVERYTHING VOL HOOPS????? Could it be cause you're a joke????
CoverOrange writes:
Curious. If Chris didn't tell anybody, not even his roommate, then how did THE_VOL know? Coincidently, THE_VOL first hints at what he knew approximately at the same time that Jordan was told.
orangeinbama writes:
What a story for me to pass out to these delusional mullet heads here in Bummer land. Chris is a warrior. Never been more proud to be a Volunteer. And I have never been more proud of a Tennessee Volunteer...
MillisaAnn writes:
May God Bless You Chris!!! You should write a book about this with Jordan Howell.
Chris will go down with all the other Vol and Lady Vol greats.
AllLadyVol writes:
Chris Lofton absolutely should write a book if he wants to! It would be a wonderful story.
I must take my hat off to Mr. Jordan Howell, for being a true friend and keeping Lofton's secret. It must have been very hard to share in such extreme stress without talking about it. But he didn't betray the confidence and he's a class act as well as Chris.
Mike Hamilton, if ever a player deserved to have a number retired, it is number 5.
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