Derrick Nash, Central Michigan Player With Leukemia, Dies

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (AP) — Central Michigan cornerback Derrick Nash, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2013 when he was still in high school, has died. He was 20.

Paradise Funeral Chapel says Nash died Monday.

Nash was a freshman who signed with Central Michigan in February 2013. He was diagnosed with leukemia that May during his senior year at Carrollton High School in Saginaw. After undergoing chemotherapy, Nash joined the team in 2014 and took part in spring practice.

Central Michigan says he was on schedule to claim a spot on the active roster for the 2014 season when doctors found the leukemia had returned.

Central Michigan honored Nash last season with a helmet sticker and team members wore #NashStrong wristbands. He served as the team's honorary captain for the 2014 Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.