After being diagnosed with cancer in 2020, Evans was very open about his feelings while battling cancer in a pair of stories that appeared on TennesseeTitans.com.
(Below is a story that was posted on this web site on June 22, 2020).
Former Titans DL Josh Evans Reflects on His Life While Asking for Prayers as He Fights Cancer
NASHVILLE — Josh Evans had the time of his life playing for the Titans, although it took him a while – with the help of counseling – to really appreciate it.
While lying in a hospital bed over the weekend, his body and voice weakened by cancer, Evans looked back at his life through 47 years, eight months and 16 days. His voice went up when he talked about his three children, so it came as no surprise when he called them his greatest accomplishments. Evans spent a lot of time beating himself up, even though he’s accomplished many things few around him growing up thought would be possible.
In recent months, Evans has spent way too much time reflecting on his life, while also worrying about his future.
Cancer, unfortunately, has a way of doing that to even big and strong NFL players, too.
“I’ve been scared — I’m scared now,” Evans said in a telephone interview. “I’m fighting hard, man, I promise you that. It ain’t easy. But I’m fighting, and I’m praying I can get through this and I can get myself together. I am not going to give up, regardless of the news I get.
“And I want everybody out there talking to God for me, if they will. Please pray for me. Talk to God for me.”
Evans, a 6-foot-2, 288-pound defensive lineman for the Oilers/Titans from 1995-2001, played in 71 career games with the franchise. He racked up 225 tackles and 14.5 sacks before finishing his career with the New York Jets. Evans was a starter in Super Bowl XXXIV for the Titans during the 1999 season, and he was a big contributor during the postseason that year. Evans had a sack in the team’s Wild Card win over the Bills, and he was credited with a half sack for a safety in the team’s AFC Championship Game win at Jacksonville.
Today, Evans is in a hospital bed at a Cancer Treatment Center in Newnan, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta. He’s down to 189 pounds. During a 20-minute interview, Evans sounded worried and weak, but he also managed to give reminders of the gregarious laugh and smile he was known for during his playing days with the team.
Evans hasn’t had a lot to smile about of late. After being diagnosed with cancer in one of his kidneys back in January, Evans had surgery. What was supposed to be a two-hour procedure turned into 13 hours, and doctors removed his right kidney, part of his pancreas and some of his small intestine in the process. Evans described his condition as dire. He spent a month in hospital, but he got out and was doing well — until pain returned in full force. When Evans checked himself back into the hospital, doctors found cancer in his spine and liver.
