Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Kyle Peko is back at training camp on Friday after missing Thursday's opening practice at St. John Fisher College. While he gets back into the groove of an NFL training camp, his mind will also be off the field and focused on his family.
Last month, Peko's wife, Giuliana, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Peko says that his wife pushed him to get back on the field, despite the tragic news.
"This is how I support my family. This is the way I take care of her and my kids," Peko said. "To be honest, she's the one that told me to get back out here. She told me not to miss. But, as a husband and as a man, it's my obligation to be there for my family. It's crazy that I'm here, but it's her. She wouldn't want it any other way."
Peko says he met his wife six years ago through mutual friends while at junior college. They got married roughly five years ago.
"She's doing good now. As good as anybody could be taking it, I guess," Peko said. "She's strong, she's a fighter, she knows that right now it's temporary. She keeps fighting."
Bills teammates and coaches have reached out to give their support, as has owner Terry Pegula.
Peko has a long way to go to make the Bills' 53-man roster. He spent plenty of time with the Denver Broncos from 2016 to 2018, but struggled to stay on the roster. In the 2017 season alone, the Broncos cut and signed Peko five times.
He currently sits behind Star Lotulelei, Ed Oliver, Jordan Philips, and Harrison Philips on the depth chart. It's likely Peko would have to beat out one of them to make the team.
Last season, the Bills kept four defensive tackles going into the start of the season. Although, it's not impossible, they could keep five. Going into the 2017 season, the Bills kept five defensive tackles out of training camp.
You can hear more from Peko below:
