Culpepper Rejoins Orange After Bout with Cancer

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse's 2018 football season opener is still a few months away, but redshirt sophomore quarterback Rex Culpepper has already posted a victory.

Culpepper, who met with the media Friday in the Iocolano-Petty Football Complex, recently completed a regimen of four one-week chemotherapy treatments for testicular cancer that had spread to his abdomen. He rang the bell at Moffitt Cancer Center in his hometown of Tampa, Fla. on June 1 and post-treatment tests revealed that Culpepper is cancer-free.

"I'd like to start off by saying that I'm extremely proud to be a Syracuse Orangeman," said Culpepper. "The way the entire school has handled this situation – from my teachers to the athletic training staff, to coaches who are currently here, to coaches who I met here that have moved on to other places – the support has been phenomenal.

"Everyone has been super willing to work with me. Obviously, a huge shout out to my family. I wouldn't be standing here today working out with my team if it wasn't for the work my mom put in, the work my dad put in, the time that my brother and sister spent with me just helping me be happy. It's been a cohesive effort.

"Cancer is in the rearview mirror. I'm 100 percent cured."

Culpepper recalled how he felt two Fridays ago when he completed his treatments:

"When they took my PICC line out, it was magical," he said. "I was sitting in the seat and I was just hugging my mom. We were both crying. We were both just so incredibly happy. Walking down the hallway and seeing all the nurses who had been with me for so many hours and gone through so much with me – seeing me finally walk out of there.

"I can't even put it into words. It felt like beating Clemson."

Culpepper gave Syracuse fans the top highlight of the program's spring scrimmage back in April. After being diagnosed in March, he did not expect to play, but Orange head coach Dino Babers gave Culpepper one series at the controls of Syracuse's fast-paced offense. Culpepper responded by connecting with Devin C. Butler, Ravian Pierce and Nykeim Johnson to move the chains. His fourth completion was a 17-yard scoring pass to Pierce. The response from his teammates and the crowd on hand in the Dome put a "group hug" on the experience.

With treatments now behind him, Culpepper can now focus on preparing for the upcoming season. His first official conditioning workout with the team came Friday morning right before his press conference.

"I want to get in the best shape I possibly can so that come August 1 (the start of preseason camp) I'll be ready to compete," said Culpepper.

Culpepper started Syracuse's final game of 2017 in place of the injured Eric Dungey. He completed 24-of-34 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns against Boston College.

Next up for Culpepper is participating in summer workouts with his teammates and getting caught up on his schoolwork.

"I'm back here for the summer. Not only do I want to get myself in the physical shape I was befor, but I also have to finish school because I wasn't able to finish all my classes as I had to make chemotherapy my No. 1 priority," said Culpepper. "I'm meeting with my teachers, who fortunately are all around Syracuse this summer. That's also extremely important to me. Being in the Newhouse School and being a prideful student, I want to finish and get back on the dean's list where I was before."

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Syracuse University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Devin C. Butler

Rex Culpepper

Eric Dungey

Nykeim Johnson

Ravian Pierce

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