Top NFL draft pick John Metchie III from Brampton diagnosed with leukemia

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Published July 24, 2022 at 6:52 pm

Brampton native John Metchie III, a recent high draft pick of the National Football League’s Houston Texans, has been diagnosed with leukemia.

Metchie, 22, made the announcement through the team’s Twitter feed today. He is expected to miss the upcoming NFL season as he undergoes treatment.

“Recently I was diagnosed with APL (Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia), the most curable form of leukemia,” Metchie said via social media. “I am currently receiving great medical care, am in good spirits and I expect to make a recovery at a later point in time. As a result of this diagnosis, I will likely not be playing football this season. My main focus will be on my health and recovery. Thank you in advance for your support and well-wishes. I cannot wait to come back stronger than ever. God bless.”

A star at the University of Alabama where he gained 1,142 receiving yards this past season in a knee injury-shortened season, Metchie was chosen No. 44 overall by the Texans in the second round of the NFL Draft in April. Houston traded up 24 spots in order to draft him.

At 5-foot-11, 187 lbs, Metchie had an outstanding career with Alabama helping the Crimson Tide to a national championship in 2020.

He is a is a two-time recipient of the Cornish Trophy, which Football Canada awards each year to honour the top Canadian in the U.S. college game.

A product of the Brampton Minor Football Association, Metchie started playing with the Brampton Bulldogs and was mentored growing up by three older football playing brothers including Royce Metchie of the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts.

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