SEATTLE -- Seahawks defensive tackle Jesse Williams will undergo kidney surgery after being diagnosed with papillary type 2 cancer, the team announced Monday.
Williams, 24, released a statement with the team.
Seahawks General Manager John Schneider called Williams an extraordinarily tough individual.
"He is in our thoughts and prayers," Schneider said.
The Seahawks selected Williams in the fifth round of the 2013 NFL draft out of Alabama but he’s been plagued by knee injuries and is still awaiting his NFL debut.
Williams is originally from Australia.
He posted this photo on his Instagram with this caption: "I am not what happened to me, I am what I Choose to Become."
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.