STEVE REED
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers offensive lineman Andrew McDonald said he expects to return to training camp next month after undergoing surgery in May for testicular cancer.
McDonald said Wednesday that doctors expect him to make a full recovery. McDonald was “Player A” in a report on the Miami Dolphins’ bullying scandal this year that indicated he was among those bullied.
McDonald didn’t have any symptoms, but noticed a “bump on his skin” on one of his testicles and met with doctors on May 19. He said he’s glad he did. Doctors determined he had testicular cancer and operated the following day to remove the mass.
“It’s out and right now I should be all good,” he said.
The 25-year-old McDonald said doctors believe they caught the cancer before it spread. He said he’ll need to return every few months for follow up CT Scans.
“It was obviously surprising news,” McDonald said. “They scheduled surgery for the next day, so it kind of hits you all at once. But I just made up my mind not to get down or let it affect me and stay positive. It has worked out, so thank God for that.”
After the bullying report, McDonald released a statement through his agent Brett Tessler saying, “While Andrew can’t speak for other players involved in the report, he personally has had no problem with the Miami Dolphins organization and has the highest opinion of (offensive line) coach (Jim) Turner both personally and professionally and feels terrible about the way their relationship has been portrayed in the report.”
McDonald talked briefly on Wednesday about his time in Miami.
He said offensive tackle Jonathan Martin, the primary victim in the bullying scandal that involved Richie Incognito, “went through a lot and it kind of affected him a little differently.
“Everybody goes through a little adjustment when they get into the league. I saw it as beating on the rookies and just kind of playing around and messing with them. But with some people it goes a little too far some times.”
McDonald declined to say if the bullying he encountered went too far.
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