Man honored for courage in cancer fight

NEWPORT BEACH — Amid death and cancer, Rich Saul can still smile.

He was grinning plenty Wednesday, not just because he was receiving an award but also because he had another day of life.

Saul, a Newport Beach resident and former NFL great who is battling leukemia, received the patient courage award from the American Cancer Society at the Newport Beach Marriott.

The award is given to the cancer patient or survivor who has shown exceptional courage in the fight with cancer, and who typically helps the American Cancer Society reach out and motivate others in the fight against cancer.

“I get a lot of satisfaction in giving,” Saul said after being honored. “That’s where I get most of my satisfaction. It’s not the Pro Bowls. It’s because God allowed me to live another year.”

While a group of cancer survivors and volunteers occasionally gasped, emcee Lori Smith read off Saul’s accomplishments and tragedies. In September, Saul lost his older brother to colon cancer. Recently, Saul’s leukemia intensified and he underwent three straight months of chemotherapy. Saul’s twin brother, Ron, battled prostate cancer two years ago.

Saul stood off to the side, sometimes smiling, waiting to speak. He was the last to be honored at the event that recognized volunteers in Orange County.

While playing center for the Los Angeles Rams, he was known to be an expert in battling in the trenches. Now, figuratively, he’s the same.

“Eight years ago I was diagnosed with cancer,” said Saul, who had already been raising money in the name of cancer before the diagnosis. “I went from talking about it to being a poster child…. The cancer I had morphed into leukemia and then again into a stronger leukemia. But, it’s all good. That platform of football was getting old anyhow. I needed a new platform.”

Saul has served as the honorary chair for the Orange County Region’s Corporate Challenge Cup golf tournament for the last 16 years, raising money for cancer. He’s already helped sell out the golf tournament in May at Santa Ana Country Club, which will bring in approximately $200,000.

“God gave me cancer,” said Saul, who never missed a game in his 12-year career with the Los Angeles Rams that included six Pro Bowls. “Instead of just talking about it, I can tell you about it. I’ve had five different forms of chemo. I’ve had radiation. What do you want to know about it? People listen now. God gave me another platform to go out and make a difference in the world, reach out to people and hopefully touch some lives.”

Over the years, Gayle Youngs has seen firsthand the difference Saul has made. Youngs, a staff partner, said Saul helped raise around $6,000 at the tournament. But then in the second year, with all the contacts Saul made, the tournament brought in $46,000.

Youngs saw a different Saul on Wednesday. She said she noticed the leukemia was taking its toll on him. He wasn’t as energetic but was still in a good mood, she said.

“He’s so tough,” she said. “He’s just a sweetheart. He’s the nicest guy in the world.”

It seems Saul has always been known for his big heart. Back in his playing days, he would go to hospitals and visit sick children with fellow offensive lineman Dennis Harrah.

“They were dying,” Saul said of the children. “They couldn’t even go home for Christmas. We would go to the hospital wing and these little kids, 3-, 4-, 5-year-old kids, had just skin over bones. When I got the call to help the cancer society, I wanted to do it. It just progressed.”