Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III’s journey back to the NFL reached a milestone on Sunday night as he scored his first NFL touchdown in a game against the Detroit Lions, capping off a remarkable comeback story from his battle with leukemia.
Drafted by the Texans in the second round of 2022, Metchie was a standout at Alabama, recording 151 catches for over 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns in his last two seasons. However, his NFL career was sidelined before it even began.
Just before his rookie season, he was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukemia, a rare and serious blood cancer. This diagnosis came after Metchie had already been recovering from an ACL injury sustained in his final college game.
After months of treatment and determination, Metchie finally returned to the field this season. On Sunday night, he caught a crucial third-and-10 pass from quarterback C.J. Stroud, converting it into a 15-yard touchdown that helped give Houston a 23-7 lead over Detroit. The touchdown brought Metchie’s season total to eight receptions for 101 yards and demonstrated his growing impact in Houston’s offense.
Metchie’s illness and recovery have been nothing short of remarkable. Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by an excess of immature blood cells, leading to a shortage of healthy blood cells and increased risks of bleeding and blood clots.
Symptoms often include fatigue, pain, appetite loss, and weight loss, but Metchie faced his diagnosis with resilience, eventually returning to the game he loves.
Sunday’s touchdown was more than just points on the board—it was a testament to Metchie’s resilience and a reminder of his potential as a key player for the Texans.