The Iron Giant

New York Giant's linebacker, Mark Herzlich, is living the dream of playing in the NFL, but his story is one that needs to be told.

A 3 star prospect coming out of high school, Mark had many choices for where he could play college ball. He took his three MVPs he earned at Conestoga High School and went to Boston College. As a freshman, Herzlich shined. He earned College Football News All-American honors. His sophomore season was not much different. He had 4 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, and 12 tackles-for-loss. He began his junior season as a preseason all-star candid. He was a finalist for the Butkus award and quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy. He was a top 15 pick on most mock drafts for the 2009 NFL draft but he decided to go back to Boston College for his senior year.

Before he got to play his senior year, he had an unfortunate trip to the hospital. On March 12th, 2009,  Mark Herzlich was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. He was told that he would never play football again and most likely never run again.

Mark began every morning with a prayer to be cancer free. He spent seven long months of chemotherapy and another five weeks of radiation. He was determined to run through the Boston College stadium tunnel with his teammates again.

On September 29th, 2009, Mark found out he was cancer free. He now has a 12-inch titanium rod in his left leg for reinforcement and lost some of his explosive burst, but he couldn't be happier.

Mark sat out the entire 2009 season and struggled during his final year at Boston College in 2010 before he declared himself for the 2011 NFL draft. Mark went undrafted after being considered a top pick in the 2009 draft.

On July 26th, 2011, the New York Giants signed Mark Herzlich as an undrafted free agent. He had eight tackles in 11 games his rookie season. Herzlich's rookie campaign ended with the New York Giants winning the Super Bowl.

Mark Herzlich is not a name that many people hear. He isn't someone that will be talked about on twitter or ESPN, but he is one of the more inspirational players in the NFL. He has gone through a lot in his young life and it was not an easy journey. Mark Herzlich is the Iron Giant.