Sad--Former StLRams UDFA turned LA firefighter diagnosed with ALS

Former NFL player turned LA firefighter diagnosed with ALS
By Marc Cota-Robles

Life is changing drastically for Los Angeles firefighter Eric Stevens. The 30-year-old has been diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.

"I kinda had this feeling something wasn't right, I noticed my left hand getting kinda weak," says Stevens, who has been placed on light duty with LAFD following his terminal diagnosis on Aug. 27.

"Everyday you're waking up and something is off just a little bit more. Your hand gets a little bit weaker, your speech gets a little bit slower, your legs get a little bit weaker," says Stevens, holding back tears.

Before firefighting, the Costa Mesa resident was a star athlete, competing at football's highest level. In college, he was captain for CAL Berkeley and signed by the (then St. Louis) Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2013.

Stevens' diagnosis with ALS came just one month after marrying his wife, Amanda.

Full Article-
[abc7.com]