AHL Syracuse Crunch

ESPY Award Winner, Former NFL Player Devon Still to Participate in Syracuse Crunch Opening Ceremony

Published on October 8, 2015 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Syracuse Crunch News Release


SYRACUSE, N.Y. - ESPY Award winner and former NFL player Devon Still will participate in the Syracuse Crunch opening ceremony at the War Memorial Arena on Saturday, Oct. 17 when the team hosts the Binghamton Senators for the 22nd Home Opener presented by Upstate University Hospital.

Still is a defensive tackle, who played for the Cincinnati Bengals from 2012 to 2014. Still and his daughter, Leah, received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award for their strength and determination in the face of cancer during the 2015 ESPY Awards this July.

Devon and Leah earned national coverage after #LeahStrong became a social media movement when Still was cut from the Bengals, but re-signed to the practice squad to ensure he kept his medical insurance due to Leah's Neuroblastoma diagnosis, a Stage 4 pediatric cancer, in June of 2014.

The Crunch wore No. 75 Devon Still Cincinnati Bengals jerseys during warmups at the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic on Nov. 21, 2014 in tribute to Leah. In response, Still sent a video message to the team that was played prior to the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic game.

The Still jerseys were auctioned off following the Toyota Frozen Dome Classic and all proceeds benefited Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central New York, which endeavors to create, identify, and support programs that directly improve the health and wellbeing of children and families in Central New York and Northern Pennsylvania.

Still attended Pennsylvania State University, where he played for coach Joe Paterno's Penn State Nittany Lions football team from 2008 to 2011. He was named the 2011 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, becoming only the second defensive tackle to win the award, along with former teammate Jared Odrick. He was also named Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, consensus All-Big Ten and to 10 first-team All-American teams. He was a finalist for both the Outland and Bednarik awards. Still was elected a team captain for the Nittany Lions as a senior in 2011.

At the 2012 NFL Draft, Still was selected in the second round by the Cincinnati Bengals, with the 53rd overall selection. He played two seasons with the team before being cut in late August 2014, prior to the start of the season. The following day, the Bengals re-signed Still to the practice squad to help him pay for his daughter's cancer treatment.

Still will participate in the Crunch's opening ceremony and drop the ceremonial first puck on Oct. 17. He will also be available for autographs in Memorial Hall during the first intermission. In addition, the Crunch will offer VIP experiences with Still prior to the game. More details will be released at a later date.

The Syracuse Crunch 2015-16 home opener is Saturday, Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. Single game and season tickets are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located in the War Memorial on 800 South State Street in Syracuse or by calling the office at 315-473-4444.

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American Hockey League Stories from October 8, 2015


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