The Giants fully support Solder’s decision.
“We have great respect for Nate as a person and a player,” said general manager Dave Gettleman. “When he called today, I told him it was faith, family, and soccer. He is doing what is best for his family.”
Solder spent his first seven NFL seasons in New England, including the last six (2012-17) when Giants coach Joe Judge was with the Patriots as assistant to Bill Belichick.
“I spoke to Nate this morning,” said the judge. “We were together in New England, obviously, and he has always been a thoughtful and conscientious person. Finally, he made this decision because it is the right thing for him and his family. We support Nate, Lexi, and their (son) Hudson, (daughter ) Charlie and (son) Emerson. Our concern is for their health and well-being. “
Hudson, who is five years old, was diagnosed with a rare Wilms tumor in both kidneys at three months of age. During the Giants’ past week last season, Hudson underwent surgery to remove a tumor before beginning his third round of chemotherapy.
As stated in his statement, Nate Solder is also a cancer survivor. A routine physical exam prior to the 2014 season showed that he had testicular cancer. Doctors surgically removed the testicle and determined that the cancer had not spread. Solder missed just two weeks of the team’s offseason practice and started all 19 games when the Patriots won Super Bowl XLIX. Two months later, because he wanted to make it known, Solder finally revealed that he had been diagnosed and cured of cancer. Six months after his admission, the family learned that Hudson had a rare form of pediatric kidney cancer.
Solder, 32, joined the Giants as a free agent in 2018. Left guard Will Hernandez, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and Solder were the only Giants who started each game in the 2018-19 seasons. In addition to his consistency and reliability on the field, Solder is one of the most generous NFL players in the community. He was nominated for the Giants Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2019, an honor he also received with New England in 2017.
