Get stronger. Get faster. Get tougher.

As they push to those ends, NFL players try to stave off age, to expunge the wear and tear of their violent trade.

For Eric Berry, there was an extra foe clawing at his body.

Cancer.


And yet, the Kansas City Chiefs safety rejoined his team last week, stronger, faster, tougher.

Take it from his friend and former Chiefs teammate Brandon Flowers, the Chargers left cornerback, who trained with Berry in Florida as the safety, a three-time All-Pro, worked back from chemotherapy following his cancer diagnosis last year.

“I think he’s faster, more fit, stronger than he was before he had that, uh, situation,” Flowers said. “I’m just looking at him and thinking, ‘That guy is a maniac.’ ”

Flowers predicted the comeback, told everyone Berry would plow through treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma, forecast that Berry would return for the 2015 season. “Any guy that played with Eric Berry,” he said, “none of them counted him out.”


Berry, 26, was found to have a mass in his chest last season. He was unable to face the Chargers at Arrowhead Stadium in December.

He still has to get through training camp, and Chiefs coach Andy Reid said the team will be cautious with him.

Flowers will stay in touch. He wants to see Berry, decked out in Chiefs red, helmet on head, for both games versus the Chargers this year.

“I pray for him constantly,” Flowers said. “I’m just glad to see him back on the field. Because he loves the game so much.”