David Akers On Sportsradio 610 WIP
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Long-time Philadelphia Eagles kicker David Akers was interviewed on the Angelo Cataldi and the Morning Team show Wednesday morning.
Akers talked about the controversy surrounding coach Andy Reid's comments singling out Akers after the Eagles playoff loss to the Green Bay Packers.
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After a 21-16 loss to the Packers on January 9, a game in which in Akers missed two field goals, Reid said: "We can all count. Those points would have helped."
However, Akers revealed that only two days before the game, his family was told that his six-year-old daughter, Halley, was diagnosed with cancer.
Akers told WIP that his daughter was diagnosed with a sex cord tumor with annular tubules. Akers' daughter had surgery on January 13 to remove her left ovary and the tumor.
When asked by Cataldi whether he knew on that Friday if it was malignant, Akers said "You can just tell. Why am I in oncology for this? They had an idea what it was, but they weren't for sure … I had a pretty good idea that's what it was."
Akers said his six-year-old daughter is doing "very well right now." He said that his daughter is going to have to be monitored for years to come.
Akers was asked about how he tried to balance the news about his daughter and performing on the field only days later.
"In my job, I'm to go out and perform at all costs when there's pressure on the line for the game and when there's pressure in life. I will never use any excuse other than the fact that I just didn't play well that day."
Akers acknowledged that the two missed field goal attempts "affected the outcome of the game."
Cataldi then asked Akers his thoughts on Reid's post-game comments.
"Anytime you get talked about, yeah it's going to be hurtful. I feel like I've given my heart and soul to the Eagles organization … I understand he's my boss, he can make those comments."
Akers said he didn't hear Reid's comments either after the game or that Monday because he met with the surgeon that day.
He said he received text messages from Reid Monday evening asking him how his daughter was doing.
"When you take the personal side out and just think about the game – it's the way I have to assess the way I played on the field – I think Andy was doing the same thing is what my point is."
Akers also said he has heard Reid "make many positive comments about me." He said he received tremendous support from the entire Eagles organization from top to bottom. Akers said Reid's wife even offered to set up a meal supply at the Akers' house.
Akers, who is a free agent, said he "would love to stay here in Philadelphia and finish my career."
Several times during the conversation, Akers made it a point to thank the doctors and staff at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, where his daughter was treated.
Reported by Steve Beck, CBS 3
