Losing Coach Will Shave His Legs

Columbia (WLTX) - High school football teams across the Midlands are getting ready for kickoff, and it's what two competing schools are doing that has our attention.

You can see the pride in the 7-year-old's eyes as he stood next to his dad during Thursday's practice. "He's awesome, and I think he's a great football coach, and I love him really much," said Bryce Summers.

But for all the love and admiration Bryce Summers shares for his dad, Richland Northeast head coach Rodney Summers looks up to his son in an equally special way.

"They explained Bryce had Leukemia, and that they were going to start chemotherapy," said Rodney.

Five years ago, Bryce started undergoing treatment for a cancer that kills so many.

"You're trying to find a cure, and you don't want yourself to die," said Bryce. Every week for three and half years Bryce visited the doctors, and as he lived, the Summers' had to watch other children die.

"My friend Cole, he used to visit me and then he was suffering and he died," said Bryce.

"You almost feel guilty your son made it through it and there's didn't," said Rodney.

Bryce's Leukemia is in remission, and now his family, Spring Valley, and Richland Northeast High School is fighting the disease another way.

"We're doing a fundraiser for Coaches Curing Kids Cancer," said Rodney.

Friday night, during the big rivalry game, fans will compete to see who can raise the most money for local cancer research. To get the students interested, coaches are making it intriguing. "My dad's gonna wear a dress and shave his legs," said Bryce.

The losing coach will shave their legs, and during Friday's pep rally, RNE coaches wore dresses. Shaved legs or not, Bryce and his dad are definitely one another's biggest fan.

"He's got a special meaning to me being a cancer survivor. He's an awesome son and I love him to death."

Summers has called around to other local schools encouraging them to also consider taking part in the fundraiser during their rivalry games. Over the last few years the event has raised more than $60,000 for cancer research. If you would like to learn more or are interested in donating, click here.