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The Indianapolis Colts expressed optimism about former University of Hawaii punter Rigoberto “Rigo” Sanchez’s ability to eventually return to the team following recovery from the surgery that is scheduled for today.
Sanchez, 26, played in Sunday’s loss to Tennessee and on Monday morning posted on Instagram and the team’s website that he has been diagnosed with a cancerous tumor and would have surgery today.
Sanchez, who is taking a medical leave, did not disclose the location of the tumor but said doctors indicated they believe it was diagnosed before spreading throughout his body.
“We have no doubt he’ll overcome this,” head coach Frank Reich told media members on Monday. “We’re very optimistic about the prognosis and about the timetable to come back. We don’t want to put any date on a timetable (to return). And knowing Rigo, God willing, it’ll be sooner rather than later. We love Rigo. We’re here and supporting him, just praying for a speedy recovery.”
Sanchez, in his fourth season with Indianapolis, punted five times for a 50.4 average against the Titans and attempted an a onside kick attempt late in the game but yielded his usual kickoff chores to Rodrigio Blankenship, the Indianapolis Star said.
Following the game Reich told the media Sanchez was dealing with a “physical issue” and said, “I give Rigo a lot of credit for the way he punted today and for really coming through for us when we needed him the way that he did.”
Sanchez played two seasons at UH, 2015 and ’16, leading the team in scoring and punting both years.
In 2016 he kicked a 55-yard field goal at Michigan, 1 yard short of the school record held by Jason Elam (1992) and Justin Ayat (2004).
In his post, Sanchez said, “Unfortunately, there are things you can’t control in life, and this is one of them. No plans or preparation would have gotten me ready for this kind of adversity, but like I told my wife, we can’t flinch. Keep striving to come back stronger than ever.”
Sanchez added, “It’s always God’s plan, and it will always be bigger than my plans. I know that it will not be an easy bump in the road, but I know I have my amazing wife supporting me, along with family, coaches and friends reaching out.”
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