The first reaction was surprise. Then empathy. Followed by hope and belief.
Before it was announced on Tuesday that Giants general manager Dave Gettleman had been diagnosed with lymphoma, the team was told of the sad news by coach Pat Shurmur in an impromptu meeting.
“It was horrible,” right guard Will Hernandez said Wednesday at the fourth annual Children of the City Charity Bowl at Lucky Strike in Manhattan.
“It was tough,” wide receiver Sterling Shepard said. “But that guy is a strong guy just from what I know of being around him these last few months. He’s a tough guy, and he’ll beat it. We got faith in that.”
“We were a little shocked, nobody really knew,” running back Saquon Barkley said. “But we came together as a team, and coach said it, [Gettleman] is in high spirits and he’s a competitor, and he’s going to fight this thing.”
In a statement, the 67-year-old Gettleman said the prognosis is “positive” and he will continue to work while receiving treatment. That was encouraging to hear for the players.
“Coach told us that the doctors are very confident and he’s confident, so that ultimately makes us confident,” Shepard said.
Gettleman was brought in to right the franchise following a dismal 3-13 season that led to the dismissal of general manager Jerry Reese and coach Ben McAdoo. He spent four seasons as the Panthers’ general manager, going 40-23-1, winning three straight NFC South titles and leading Carolina to Super Bowl 50.
He made several changes with the Giants, cutting veterans like wide receiver Brandon Marshall and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and trading defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul.
Gettleman, who was with Big Blue from 1998-2012 as a pro personnel director, added to the roster by signing a much-needed Pro Bowl left tackle in Nate Solder, trading for linebacker Alec Ogletree and drafting Barkley with the second-overall pick in the draft. While the Barkley selection was controversial because the Giants passed on several potential franchise quarterbacks, Gettleman received high grades for his draft overall, which included Hernandez, a potential starting right guard, in the second round.
“He’s the reason why I’m here,” Hernandez said. “Of course I’m going to be behind him 100 percent, and I’m going to support him in any way possible.”
“He knows for sure that everyone on the team has his back and we’re there for him and we’re going to continue to love him and pray for him,” Barkley said.
