Tanner McKee and John Metchie were out at dinner about two weeks ago, Metchie still getting to know his new teammates after his recent trade from the Texans.
Amongst everyone chatting, the conversation between McKee and Metchie shifted to their pasts. One of them mentioned they're a cancer survivor, then the other said the same thing.
Neither of them knew about the other's diagnosis until the conversation, but it immediately helped them understand each other "on a deeper level."
The Eagles are celebrating the NFL's Crucial Catch initiative at Sunday's game against the Broncos, and McKee and Metchie are examples of cancer not defining someone's life.
"For me, there was a lot of people that I met [during] my time in the hospital that had a huge impact on me in my life," Metchie said. "People can look and see that you can come out on the other side and continue to aspire and still achieve your dreams regardless of that situation.
"I think what it all teaches you is to take it one day at a time, whether you're going through something or you want to do something, at the end of day all we have is right now. ... [Cancer] teaches you to take it one day at a time and to be completely where you are."
McKee was diagnosed with melanoma when he was 16, and Metchie missed his entire rookie season with leukemia. The two have since made full recoveries and are now contributing in the NFL at full strength.
Dealing with an illness of that magnitude isn't something most teenagers or young adults think about. McKee and Metchie were thrust into doctors appointments and treatment, and their goals of playing in the NFL weren't their biggest concerns anymore.
Now, it provides them with a fresh viewpoint.
"I think it shows what's important with family, faith, just different things like that," McKee said. "Anything can be taken away at any moment in time. So just keeping that perspective, being grateful for the things that you do have, if you are healthy and have a family and have those certain things, I think it kind of puts things into perspective."
Said Metchie: "One, [it gave me] the gratitude for life. That life is the most important thing, our ability to be alive and wake up each and every day. Just to wake up period and then on top of that to do the things you love to do or aspire to do the things you love to do. [Also], your loved ones, their health, things like that. It gives you a fresh energy of showing up and being passionate towards the things that you want to do."
Both McKee and Metchie have been involved in giving back to the cancer community. Metchie was named the NFLPA Community MVP of the week in 2022 when he welcomed his nurses and fellow patients to NRG Stadium for an evening full of events just three months after being diagnosed. McKee recently made a surprise visit with other Eagles players to the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where they spent time with cancer patients.
Given their status and history, McKee and Metchie know how much of an impact their presence can make on those looking for a light at the end of the tunnel.
"I think it gives you a good perspective on things. Just life's tough for a lot of people, and so if you can kind of give joy to other people, that's pretty cool, just by showing up and saying 'Hi' for a couple minutes," McKee said. "I feel like just with me, I've had that perspective as well, just what could have happened or just different things like that. I think it just keeps me well balanced."
The Eagles will honor those impacted by cancer at halftime and pregame of Sunday's game. The National Anthem singer, Arianna Barricelli, survived pediatric cancer, and the Eagles, along with Bringing Hope Home, hosted around 50 people impacted by cancer at the NovaCare Complex for puppy yoga.
Teams across the NFL are celebrating the league's Crucial Catch initiative throughout October, and the Eagles have a duo with a unique connection.
"It's just a good reminder. A refreshment of perspective," Metchie said of Crucial Catch. "It's a moment to acknowledge something bigger than yourself and that a lot of people deal with. And as far as myself, also kind of take a look at what I've been through. It's good for the moment." — Written by Matt Ryan
