Reynolds Overcomes Cancer in Inspiring Return to Football
8/7/2026 6:49:00 AM | Football
By Jeff Honza
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri offensive lineman Sam Reynolds never expected his toughest opponent would be off the football field.
When Reynolds was at Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, he had won his second straight wrestling state title and was preparing for his senior football season.
During that time, he developed a skin infection and was put on antibiotics, but it didn't go away.
Then, one morning, he felt ill and fatigued. He and his family went to see a doctor and while they were there, Reynolds was admitted to the emergency room.
Tests later indicated Reynolds had acute myeloid leukemia, a rare blood cancer.
At that moment, everything changed.
"I didn't even know what leukemia was. My parents were devastated. The only thing I remember when I received the diagnosis is my brother looking at me and saying, 'Let's fight this," said Reynolds.
Nothing about it felt real. The doctors delivered the news early in the morning and Reynolds' father asked how certain they were. Their answer was, "99.9 percent."
That day, his life shifted from practices and game plans to treatments and hospital rooms. But as he would prove time and time again, Reynolds wasn't built to back down.
Reynolds started his recovery process early in April 2023 and spent a total of 118 days in the hospital, with a handful of short breaks at home.
"I had just four breaks home and the longest was 11 days," he said. "I was in remission after the first round of treatment. If I hadn't been [in remission], I would have been in the hospital longer and would have needed a bone marrow transplant."
The early remission allowed doctors to pursue a different course of treatment, one that included antibody and chemotherapy.
Doctors didn't expect Reynolds to play football his senior season. They said, "Maybe he'd wrestle, but probably not play football."
He kept training, monitoring his heart rate and blood counts, and eventually defied the odds.
"It was October when I got cleared to play football," said Reynolds. "I returned after our bye week and played the last four district games and then four playoff games."
Not only did Reynolds battle back to get on the football field, he went undefeated en route to winning a third heavyweight wrestling state championship.
The return to finish his senior year wasn't just a personal victory – it was a testament to his resilience, tenacity and faith.
Reynolds moved on to play one season at NCAA Division II member Southwestern Oklahoma State.
There, he started 12 games across multiple positions on the offensive line. Reynolds had hip surgery following the 2024 season and entered the transfer portal once he was healthy enough to play again.
Although he received multiple offers, SEMO was the only school Reynolds visited. After his trip, he knew Cape Girardeau was where he wanted to be.
"The honesty and transparency of the coaches stood out immediately," said Reynolds. "They were very honest the whole time and that's not common in college football nowadays."
Reynolds also connected with Team Chaplain and Director of Player Development Nick Grassi who he calls a mentor. Grassi played fullback at SEMO from 2006-09.
"Nick was a big part of my decision," Reynolds said. "We have a special relationship. He's discipling and mentoring me. That's something I didn't have at my last school."
Reynolds thrived in his first season (2025) at the Division I level, starting the final eight games at center. He helped lead a SEMO offense that topped the Ohio Valley Conference in passing (283.3 ypg) and ranked second in the red zone (29-of-31 scores, 93.5 pct.). Reynolds ended the year as an honorable mention All-OVC selection.
When asked to use one word to describe himself, Reynolds said, "Tough!"
"Not just because of what I've been through, but how I approach things," he said. "I'm not going to worry about what I can't control. I'm going to leave it to the Lord."
Currently, Reynolds is in his third year of remission.
"They don't say 'cancer free' until five years," stated Reynolds. "It's all God's plan and I am so grateful for everything I have on and off the field. The love and support from my family, coaches and teammates is amazing and I'm going to keep going every play, every practice and every day."
SEMO will have its first live scrimmage of the preseason Saturday. Start time is 8:30 a.m., CT at Houck Field.
Associate Director of Athletics for Strategic Communications
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Southeast Missouri offensive lineman Sam Reynolds never expected his toughest opponent would be off the football field.
When Reynolds was at Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, he had won his second straight wrestling state title and was preparing for his senior football season.
During that time, he developed a skin infection and was put on antibiotics, but it didn't go away.
Then, one morning, he felt ill and fatigued. He and his family went to see a doctor and while they were there, Reynolds was admitted to the emergency room.
Tests later indicated Reynolds had acute myeloid leukemia, a rare blood cancer.
At that moment, everything changed.
"I didn't even know what leukemia was. My parents were devastated. The only thing I remember when I received the diagnosis is my brother looking at me and saying, 'Let's fight this," said Reynolds.
Nothing about it felt real. The doctors delivered the news early in the morning and Reynolds' father asked how certain they were. Their answer was, "99.9 percent."
That day, his life shifted from practices and game plans to treatments and hospital rooms. But as he would prove time and time again, Reynolds wasn't built to back down.
Reynolds started his recovery process early in April 2023 and spent a total of 118 days in the hospital, with a handful of short breaks at home.
"I had just four breaks home and the longest was 11 days," he said. "I was in remission after the first round of treatment. If I hadn't been [in remission], I would have been in the hospital longer and would have needed a bone marrow transplant."
The early remission allowed doctors to pursue a different course of treatment, one that included antibody and chemotherapy.
Doctors didn't expect Reynolds to play football his senior season. They said, "Maybe he'd wrestle, but probably not play football."
He kept training, monitoring his heart rate and blood counts, and eventually defied the odds.
"It was October when I got cleared to play football," said Reynolds. "I returned after our bye week and played the last four district games and then four playoff games."
Not only did Reynolds battle back to get on the football field, he went undefeated en route to winning a third heavyweight wrestling state championship.
The return to finish his senior year wasn't just a personal victory – it was a testament to his resilience, tenacity and faith.
Reynolds moved on to play one season at NCAA Division II member Southwestern Oklahoma State.
There, he started 12 games across multiple positions on the offensive line. Reynolds had hip surgery following the 2024 season and entered the transfer portal once he was healthy enough to play again.
Although he received multiple offers, SEMO was the only school Reynolds visited. After his trip, he knew Cape Girardeau was where he wanted to be.
"The honesty and transparency of the coaches stood out immediately," said Reynolds. "They were very honest the whole time and that's not common in college football nowadays."
Reynolds also connected with Team Chaplain and Director of Player Development Nick Grassi who he calls a mentor. Grassi played fullback at SEMO from 2006-09.
"Nick was a big part of my decision," Reynolds said. "We have a special relationship. He's discipling and mentoring me. That's something I didn't have at my last school."
Reynolds thrived in his first season (2025) at the Division I level, starting the final eight games at center. He helped lead a SEMO offense that topped the Ohio Valley Conference in passing (283.3 ypg) and ranked second in the red zone (29-of-31 scores, 93.5 pct.). Reynolds ended the year as an honorable mention All-OVC selection.
When asked to use one word to describe himself, Reynolds said, "Tough!"
"Not just because of what I've been through, but how I approach things," he said. "I'm not going to worry about what I can't control. I'm going to leave it to the Lord."
Currently, Reynolds is in his third year of remission.
"They don't say 'cancer free' until five years," stated Reynolds. "It's all God's plan and I am so grateful for everything I have on and off the field. The love and support from my family, coaches and teammates is amazing and I'm going to keep going every play, every practice and every day."
SEMO will have its first live scrimmage of the preseason Saturday. Start time is 8:30 a.m., CT at Houck Field.
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