Football prospect signs letter of intent despite cancer diagnosis

Spokane, North Idaho News Jace Malek begins treatments for cancer next week, but on Wednesday he signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Idaho. Malek, a

Spokane, North Idaho News

Jace Malek begins treatments for cancer next week, but on Wednesday he signed a National Letter of Intent to play at Idaho.

Malek, a 240-pound fullback from West Valley High School in Spokane, Wash., was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma last week, the same disease former All-America Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich had in 2009.

Malek called the Idaho coaching staff to let them know about the diagnosis and was unsure if he would still have a scholarship. 

“I told them, ‘Listen, I know you need to do what's best, and I realize that might not be keeping my scholarship,'" Malek told Spokane television station KHQ. 

Malek's doctors told him the cancer could end his football career. If it does, he would like to pursue a career in coaching. 

- Dan Gartland