Giants GM Gettleman diagnosed with lymphoma; 'positive' outlook

Poughkeepsie Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: Gettleman gets tour of Spackenkill athletic facilities Dave Gettleman, former GM of the Carolina Panthers and an architect of Spackenkill High School's football program, got a tour of the upgraded athletic facilities from Clinton DeSouza, the current head coach.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – New York Giants general manager Dave Gettleman has lymphoma.

However, the man who once started the Spackenkill High School football program says the prognosis for his recovery is “positive.”

Gettleman, hired in the offseason to replace Jerry Reese, released a statement Tuesday about his health. He says he recently “underwent an annual physical, during which it was discovered I have lymphoma. Over the past week, I have undergone more testing to determine the course of treatment, which is scheduled to start in the very near future.

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“The doctor’s outlook for the treatment and the prognosis is positive, and so am I.”

Gettleman says he plans to continue working “as much as the treatment process will allow.”

The 67-year-old Gettleman formerly was GM with the Carolina Panthers.

Gettleman started the Spackenkill football program alongside Dave Marcy in 1973. At the time, he was working as the school’s driver’s education teacher, one year removed from graduating from Springfield College, where he played offensive tackle.

The Boston native served as Spackenkill’s head varsity football coach from 1973-78 and again from 1980-81, leading the school to two league titles.

“I want to thank you in advance for respecting my privacy and that of my family as we work our way through this," Gettleman said. "I look forward to being back at full strength and devoting all my energy to helping make this 2018 New York Giants team the best it can be.”

Assistant general manager Kevin Abrams is likely to assume some of Gettleman’s duties while the GM is undergoing treatments.