Former University of Washington defensive tackle Daniel Milsten is fighting for his life at just 42 years old after a devastating double cancer diagnosis.
Milsten has been diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer and Neuroendocrine Metastatic Carcinoma, which friends say has been deemed terminal.
The aggressive nature of the disease has left the former athlete’s family in a state of shock as they scramble to find medical options to prolong his life.
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for the man described as ‘one of the good guys,’ aimed at providing ‘peace of mind’ for his wife and two young sons, aged six and eight.
‘This has come on so fast and so aggressively that we are just praying for options to prolong his life at this point,’ the fundraiser description explains.
Loved ones are calling on the community to show support ‘in this very dark time’ for a man who they say ‘made an impact in so many people’s lives on and off the football field.’
Former University of Washington star Daniel Milsten is fighting for his life at just 42 years old
Milsten’s football career was cut short after he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle
The plea for help highlights the deep bond Milsten shared with his teammates and friends, noting he is ‘cherished by so many’ for his character beyond the gridiron.
‘I ask that we all come together and fight for Dan and his family by donating,’ the fundraiser organizer wrote, ‘which I know he would have fought for any of us if the shoe was on the other foot.’
Milsten’s football career was cut short during a 2004 game against Oregon State, where he suffered a brutal hit that resulted in a fractured fibula and dislocated ankle.
The injury was so severe it required immediate surgery and inspired rule-change discussions within the Pac-10 to protect players from career-ending low blocks.
Despite the setback, Milsten remained a fixture in the Seattle sports community, later serving as a student coach for the Huskies and working at local training facilities.
He even spent time coaching in Italy, where his expertise earned him a special acknowledgment in John Grisham’s best-selling football novel Playing for Pizza.
The fundraiser emphasizes that any help provided now is for the ‘challenging days ahead’ as the family navigates this ‘extremely shocking and difficult time.’