Former Bear Chris Draft’s Fight Against Lung Cancer and Fulfilling His Wife’s Last Wish

Former NFL player Chris Draft transforms grief into action. On Thanksgiving Eve, he honors his late wife by raising awareness for lung cancer through white ribbons, advocacy, and a mission to empower survivors and their families (Photo Provided by Chris Draft). On Thanksgiving Eve, while most of us are prepping turkeys and finalizing recipes, former Chicago Bears player Chris Draft will spend the day making white ribbons. For him, this day isn’t just his wedding anniversary—it’s a tradition rooted in love and purpose. The ribbons are a symbol of his fight against the disease that claimed his wife, LaKeasha: lung cancer. Draft faced a devastating challenge shortly after retiring from a 12-year NFL career. His wife, once the picture of health, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. It began with shortness of breath. A visit to her primary care doctor led to a biopsy, and by New Year’s, the couple learned the cancer had spread to her brain. “She was in amazing shape,” Draft recalled. “Before her diagnosis, she was challenging me to do P90X and run a 10k with her.” Chris Draft’s wife, Lakeasha Monique Rutledge Draft (Photo Provided by Draft). Despite the grim prognosis, LaKeasha remained focused...