Chad Bettis Opens Up About His Cancer Battle and Future

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Romans 8:18 reads, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” It’s a Bible verse that Chad Bettis of the Colorado Rockies has clung to in the days since he first learned he had testicular cancer.

It’s been a whirlwind for Bettis since his November diagnosis and surgery. On Monday at the Coors Brewery in Golden, Bettis talked often about his faith and his future. It was a raw, open conversation which reminded us again that the athletes we cover and watch on a daily basis are, in fact, humans with families and a life away from the diamond.

“It’s been overwhelming,” Bettis said of the support he has received since the news of his ordeal went public in mid-December. “With the support and love and prayers from everybody, it’s been second to none. I lean very heavily on my friends, family and wife. To know that my teammates and other individuals who have gone through something like this wanted to let me know that I was in their prayers was overwhelming.”

He talks about faith. He talks about his family. He reflects back on Romans 8:18.

“I don’t know why but it stuck with me for a very long time, even before this happened. I feel like it’s true. It’s something I could lean back on and think this verse was meant for me,” Bettis said with the same focused belief in his eye as he has had when up 0-2 on a batter at Coors Field.

The conversation was certainly in part about baseball on Monday afternoon, but Bettis was also there to talk about what he’s been through. The 27-year-old is a cancer survivor.

“Broken” is how Bettis describes the conversation he had with this wife and family about the cancer discovery. His eyes tear up at the thought of it.

“It was tough. You start talking to people about it and you never want to tell somebody that. It was really hard for me to tell my parents. They want what’s best for their kid. That was tough, but we got through it and we’re stronger for it.”

Bettis remembers exactly his first thought when the doctor told him he had cancer.

“’What?’ That was the first reaction,” Bettis said. “You don’t view it as, ‘This is me.’ You take it like, ‘You messed up on the results.’ You don’t believe that it’s really happening to you. It took a while to soak in. Once it finally did, it was, ‘What’s next?’ and let’s begin the process. What’s the best way to go about this and how fast can we do it so we can get back to being healthy? At that point, baseball goes to the backburner. Your livelihood is at stake. It was nice that we caught it early. You have to be aware with what’s going on with your body.”

Jul 26, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Colorado Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis (35) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

Surgery was enough for Bettis. The cancer was caught in time. It’s a thought that still has to sink in, he says.

“It was tough but we’re good. We (Bettis and his wife, Kristina) relied heavily on each other. Both of our families knew. There was a lot of prayer and we relied on that, moreso than anything,” Bettis said. “The more I think about it, the tougher it is. I feel like it still hasn’t completely set in that it’s gone. It was tough but we got through it and a lot of it came from faith and each other and our families and our immediate family and friends and teammates and their wives. The support I got was unbelievable.”

Part of that support came from new Colorado manager Bud Black.

“He’s been good, not only in the brief time that I’ve been able to talk to him but he’s very knowledgeable, very personable, smart, intelligent guy, but also the support he’s given me through this entire process. It’s been great,” Bettis said. “I felt like we didn’t beat around the bush. It was like, ‘Hey, we’re stuck together for a couple of years here.’ He knew what was going on and supported my wife and I through the entire process.”

Bettis said monitoring will be a part of his foreseeable future. He’s thankful the cancer was caught in time.

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“I haven’t gone through any treatments,” Bettis said. “I’m not saying that I couldn’t. It’s always a possibility to have to go through something. But I haven’t had to do any chemo or radiation and I think that’s big. If your body doesn’t need it, you shouldn’t do that. That’s where I’ve stood. Essentially, it was just surgery and the rehab from it. Now it’s getting scans and lab work on a very regular basis. Right now, I’m doing it every six weeks and it tapers off.

“I’m back normal, other than having to be proactive in getting scans and checkups regularly. I actually threw a bullpen last Friday (25 pitches) and everything felt great. We’re on track. I think there was some talk about whether or not to miss a couple of days here or there before spring training but everything is normal. Everything is going to be fine and healthy. It’s a great day.”

Bettis has another scan scheduled for late February but said bloodwork was really “the telltale sign” if there was something to worry about.

Not long after that next scan, he’ll welcome his first daughter into the world. She’s due on March 29, right before the season begins. Bettis smiled when he talked about becoming a father.

“It’s just been a miracle, having our little girl on the way and knowing that my wife and I had to get through this,” Bettis said. “I think it would’ve been much harder if we had already had her. More questions could’ve been asked if we weren’t pregnant. It’s a blessing.”

Sep 5, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Chad Bettis (35) is dunked with ice water by catcher Tom Murphy (23) following a win over the San Francisco Giants at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Bettis has focused on his health for weeks now. On Monday in Golden, he said he was ready to turn the attention back to baseball and get ready for the 2017 season.

“I’m super excited,” Bettis said. “With the offseason additions we added and key pieces we needed, it’s exciting. I think I can speak for everybody that we’re chomping at the bit to get going at spring training. Pitchers and catchers can’t report soon enough.”

Coming off a 14-8 campaign, including a 3-1 mark with 3.08 ERA in September, Bettis believes he’s a part of a strong Rockies rotation that could spell success this season.

“I think that we have a very good, if not great, group of guys and a strong core with (Tyler) Chatwood, Andy (Tyler Anderson), (Jon) Gray and me,” Bettis explained. “That fifth spot is kind of open but we know whoever fills that spot is going to fit right in with us. It’s refreshing, not only to know that whoever takes that spot is going to fit right in with the group and know we’re not going to miss a beat. I do think that our starting staff is one of the more talented ones that we’ve ever had as a Rockies organization. It’s exciting.”

Bettis knows it will be a different season than in years past. He not only shoulders the responsibility of pitching at a high level and trying to get Colorado into its first postseason since 2009, but also being at the front of a battle with a disease that is not often discussed.

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“If I’m able to bring awareness to it, then I have no problem doing it,” Bettis said. “I think that we all really want to live private lifestyles but, unfortunately, that’s not the job that we took. This is part of it. I could’ve probably hidden this but if I can help someone else, then it’s probably better for it to be out there than for me to retain the information and hold it within.”

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Romans 8:18 reads, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” It’s a Bible verse that Chad Bettis of the Colorado Rockies has clung to in the days since he first learned he had testicular cancer.

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