CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One month after getting married, ex-Panther linebacker Chris Draft lost his wife Dec. 27 after a long fight with lung cancer, Yahoo Sports is reporting.
Draft, who played for several NFL teams including the Carolina Panthers in 2005 and 2006, released a statement on his wife on their family foundation website:
"Not just an inspiration, but a light, and a force that led the way with a beautiful, sweet smile and bright shining eyes that both belied the pure steel of her strength and determination.
"Strong is too pale, too shallow and too small of a word to describe Keasha's vibrancy… Quite simply, she was ferocious. She fiercely held onto life, and love with a forcefulness that was absolutely awe-inspiring and completely breathtaking. Rest in peace, Mrs. Draft."
Editor's Note: Story was corrected on Jan. 3, 2012 to correct date and cause of death.
