Freak on-field incident reveals cancer diagnosis for Tony Corrente

Sometimes a story comes along that completely alters one’s perspective. Referee Tony Corrente has such a story.

We mentioned Saturday that Corrente, officiating the Lions-Saints game, something we knew and did not disclose for several weeks, in deference to his privacy: he was being treated for throat cancer. Only after it became public knowledge, save for a few get-well wishes in various discussion forums, did we make mention of this.

We contacted Corrente, and he was very interested in telling us his story, but by league policy, we needed to get approval from the league office. They did not respond to our repeated requests.

That said, Sports Illustrated columnist Peter King was able to give us the story far more eloquently than we could have tried to. It is a very moving story and a must-read.

Tony’s story is part of King’s Monday Morning Quarterback article. Scroll down to find it.