Legendary USMNT Soccer Player Recounts Cancer Journey

Kasey Keller shares his battle with large B cell lymphoma and breakthrough CAR T cell therapy

Feb. 4, 2026 at 9:39am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Former U.S. national soccer team goalkeeper Kasey Keller was diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma after a routine scan. He underwent 13 different treatments, including the breakthrough CAR T cell therapy, before achieving remission. Keller, who is now an ESPN sportscaster, kept his cancer battle private for years before deciding to share his story to raise awareness and encourage others facing similar challenges.

Why it matters

Keller's story sheds light on the challenges professional athletes can face with serious health issues, as well as the advancements in cancer treatments like CAR T cell therapy that are providing new hope for patients. By going public with his journey, Keller hopes to inspire others battling cancer to stay positive and keep fighting.

The details

Keller, who had a storied career with 102 caps and 47 shutouts for the U.S. men's national team, was initially asymptomatic when doctors discovered his large B cell lymphoma during a routine scan. However, he quickly began rapidly losing weight, prompting his doctors to start treatment. Keller underwent 13 different treatments, some of which were unsuccessful, before learning about CAR T cell therapy, a groundbreaking approach that uses the patient's own modified immune cells to fight cancer. Keller was one of the first patients to receive the Breyanzi* CAR T cell therapy following its approval in 2021.

  • Keller was diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma after a routine scan.
  • He underwent 13 different treatments, including CAR T cell therapy, before achieving remission.
  • Keller was able to continue his work as an ESPN sportscaster during his cancer treatments, even calling matches from his chemotherapy chair.

The players

Kasey Keller

A former U.S. national soccer team goalkeeper with 102 caps and 47 shutouts, who was diagnosed with large B cell lymphoma and underwent breakthrough CAR T cell therapy to achieve remission.

Breyanzi*

A type of CAR T cell therapy that Keller received, which was approved in 2021 and uses the patient's own modified immune cells to fight cancer.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When you go through 13 different treatments, do you worry that you're running out of options? Absolutely, but I was fortunate that this was the one to have the success.”

— Kasey Keller (Men's Journal)

“I think it's the pro sports mentality that you just control what you can control. You have a good attitude. And you just say, All right, what's next, you know? All right, let's do this.”

— Kasey Keller (Men's Journal)

What’s next

Keller hopes that by sharing his story, he can raise awareness about advancements in cancer treatments like CAR T cell therapy and inspire others facing similar challenges to stay positive and keep fighting.

The takeaway

Keller's journey demonstrates the resilience and determination of professional athletes, as well as the progress being made in cancer care. His willingness to go public with his battle against large B cell lymphoma will help provide hope and encouragement to others facing cancer.