If someone told you two years ago that 24-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl safety Eric Berry of the Kansas City Chiefs would be tabbed for the NFL’s all-star game again in 2016, you might say, “Well, thank you very much, Captain Obvious.”

But if you were told that one year ago, your response might be more along the lines of, “That would take a miracle.”

And that might be the only way to describe the fact that Berry is here, ready to play Sunday for Team Rice at Aloha Stadium.

After a Nov. 20, 2014 loss at Oakland, Berry complained of unusual pain in his upper body. An MRI revealed a mass in his chest that was found to be cancerous, and Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

“At first I was in shock with the diagnosis … and did not even want to miss a game. But I understand that right now I have to concentrate on a new opponent,” Berry said at the time.

And he made a promise to the Chiefs and their fans.

“I will be back!”

No one in the Kansas City locker room doubted him, but no one knew he’d return in time to start the next season.

Although it took him a couple of games to get back to full form, Berry finished 2015 having played in every game and matching his career best of 10 passes defended to go with 61 tackles and two interceptions. He won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.

“Eric Berry’s a guy whose character, dedication, hard work and toughness is an inspiration to everyone,” said linebacker Derrick Johnson, Kansas City’s all-time tackles leader who is also here for the Pro Bowl. “He stands tall.”

Berry said there were days when he couldn’t get out of bed while undergoing chemotherapy. When he started to work out again, he could barely do five push-ups.

“There would be times … I would end up just crying after the workout just because first of all, I couldn’t believe that I made it through the workout, but I couldn’t believe that it was that hard,” he said upon his return to the Chiefs last July. “I was trying to push myself to the limit.”

Johnson said Berry’s return was key to the team’s season that featured a 10-game winning streak and the franchise’s first playoff win in 22 years.

“What happened with him fueled us, made us better off the field and on,” Johnson said. “When we get tired, when things aren’t going too good, it suddenly isn’t so bad when we look at this guy next to us who had to fight for his life.”

Rookie cornerback Marcus Peters, also here for the Pro Bowl after eight interceptions as a Kansas City rookie, said Berry’s rapid return inspired him, and made him appreciate every day and every play.

“He’s a dog on that field,” Peters said. “What he went through makes you really sit back and count your blessings. It started as very sad, but now it puts a smile on my face.”

As of Tuesday, a record number of 47 players invited to this year’s Pro Bowl had declined for various reasons.

You know Eric Berry never considered that an option, considering what he was faced with a year ago.

“Everything that surrounds the game, everything that’s a part of the game I appreciate it more,” he said.

Reach Dave Reardon at dreardon@staradvertiser.com or 529-4783. His blog is at Hawaiiwarriorworld.com/quick-reads