FRISCO, Texas _ Gavin Escobar was an 18-year-old freshman at San Diego State when he started feeling pain in his groin during football practice. Team doctors told him to get checked for sexually transmitted diseases.
Tests showed he did not have an STD, so Escobar searched the internet for symptoms of testicular cancer. He had most of them, so his mother set up an appointment with a doctor at UCLA.
A day after meeting with the doctor, Escobar had surgery to remove a tumor.
Although the Cowboys tight end is cancer free, he wants to raise awareness for the disease. He'll do so during Thursday's game in Minnesota by wearing special cleats.
The outside of his white Nikes say "I survived." The inside says "Feeling Nuts."
"There were a couple slogans (to pick from), so I picked the feeling nuts one," Escobar said with a smile. "I know they tried to get that to stick a couple years ago. I saw it and thought it was a good one."
Escobar is hoping his message will help someone out there embarrassed to talk about their situation.
"If anyone's having pain down there, don't feel ashamed," Escobar said. "Go see a doctor, talk to your friends. Get it checked out."
Several other Cowboys are also wearing special cleats Thursday as part of the NFL's My Cause, My Cleats campaign.
Ezekiel Elliott is raising awareness for preventing animal cruelty and pet adoption.
Brandon Carr, Byron Jones and Terrance Williams are helping raise awareness for the Flint water crisis.
