Football players raise money for sick teammate

Middle Creek High School RaShawn King will not be able to play with his team this fall after undergoing chemotherapy at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill.

His teammates sold tickets to a pancake fundraiser and waited tables at a Fuquay-Varina Applebee's on Saturday to raise money to help with King's medical bills.

"We're just trying to help him out, help his family,” Middle Creek High School senior Britt Cherry said.

King said it was about a month ago that he first noticed he wasn't feeling well.

“I used to feel real tired and sluggish,” he said.

Then doctors told him it was leukemia.

“It hit me and hurt real bad. I cried a lot,” King said.

Due to his medical treatments, King will have to give up football and basketball this coming school year but plans to continue supporting his teammates

“I'm going to go to every game, go there to support my boys,” King said.

King's teammates are standing by him as well.

“Him being with the team will help us become stronger,” Middle Creek High School senior Roby Walsh said.

The team raised more than $2,500 on Saturday. King said he is grateful for the support of his teammates and coach.

“My goal is to fight this, beat this, (and) come back next year, get stronger, faster, better and help my team out," he said.