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Erin Andrews has won another battle, this time out of court.In 2016, after settling her $55 million lawsuit with a Nashville Marriott, theDancing with the Stars co-host also battled cervical cancer. The 38-year-old shared with Sports Illustrated’s The MMQB that she was diagnosed in September and has successfully removed all traces ofthe disease after two surgeries, one on October 11 and a second on November 1.
Erin shared that she secretly battled cervical cancer in 2016 Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
And despite the downtime suggested from her oncologist to sit on the sidelines so she could properly recover, the Fox NFL sportscaster instead was flying two days after to Green Bay, Wisconsin to cover that Sunday’s game. “Should I have been standing for a full game five days after surgery? Let’s just say the doctor didn’t recommend that,” she explained. “But just as I felt during my trial, sports were my escape. I needed to be with my crew.”
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Even her now-fiancé NHL star Jarret Stoll couldn’t convinceher otherwise. “You wouldn’t miss a game,” she explained of her rationalizingher decision to Jarret, whom she has been with since 2015. “You’d play throughany injury, do whatever it takes to get back out there. That’s going to be me.”
Erin's fiancéwas there for her when she underwent surgery Photo: Angela Weiss/Getty Images for David Yurman
Erin also feared that her fellow commentators and athletes would look at her differently. “Throughout my career, all I’ve ever wanted is to just fit in,” she said. “That I had this extra baggage with the scandal, I didn’t want to be any different. I felt that way about being sick too. I don’t want players or coaches to look at me differently.”
Erin channeled football for inspiration during her cancer and highly publicized trial Photo: Laura Cavanaugh/FilmMagic
Sixteen days after her second surgery, Erin learned shewould not need to have radiation or chemotherapy, and she was cleared. Uponreturning to work, she also quickly learned that she had the support of hercolleagues, coaches and players. “In a way, this all has allowed me to relateto players more,” she said. “I understand what it’s like to be the story.”