Community Joins To Help Former Football Star During Challenging Time
By: Brendaliss Gonzalez
Updated: February 24, 2013
This former football star has fought plenty of battles on the field, but off field, he's fighting the biggest one yet.
"I thought everything was good and then coming back now and finding out that it's not really," said Robert Oliver.
The former Cleveland Browns football player has been battling skin cancer for the past three years.
It's gotten to the point where he and his wife have to travel to Houston several times a week for doctors appointments and surgeries.
"Gas is the big thing and then of course if we have to stay in the hotel longer, that's a big expense," said Robert's wife Holly Oliver.
So his neighbor Debbie Storie deecided to help out.
She's set up a silent auction to help raise funds for his treatment and travel expenses.
"Hopefully this will do good," said Storie.
Perhaps the biggest item up for auction is an autographed football signed by Cleveland Brown football player Colt McCoy who's also from the Big Country.
"That's really something neat that colt would go to that length to get it done," said Oliver.
But it's not just about the money, it's mostly about showing support.
"This is going to help him and it lifts his spirits," said Storie.
Not that Oliver shows any kind of defeat, especially with the help of his star team mate, his wife.
"Oh if my wife wasn't here I don't know how I would do it," said Oliver.
"He's a fighter, hes tough and I tell him every day hes my everything and hes gotta fight I can't be here without him," said Holly Oliver.
So while this battle may have left Oliver with a few bandages and scars, it's one challenge he's determined to win and hell have plenty of help every step of the way.
"I thought everything was good and then coming back now and finding out that it's not really," said Robert Oliver.
The former Cleveland Browns football player has been battling skin cancer for the past three years.
It's gotten to the point where he and his wife have to travel to Houston several times a week for doctors appointments and surgeries.
"Gas is the big thing and then of course if we have to stay in the hotel longer, that's a big expense," said Robert's wife Holly Oliver.
So his neighbor Debbie Storie deecided to help out.
She's set up a silent auction to help raise funds for his treatment and travel expenses.
"Hopefully this will do good," said Storie.
Perhaps the biggest item up for auction is an autographed football signed by Cleveland Brown football player Colt McCoy who's also from the Big Country.
"That's really something neat that colt would go to that length to get it done," said Oliver.
But it's not just about the money, it's mostly about showing support.
"This is going to help him and it lifts his spirits," said Storie.
Not that Oliver shows any kind of defeat, especially with the help of his star team mate, his wife.
"Oh if my wife wasn't here I don't know how I would do it," said Oliver.
"He's a fighter, hes tough and I tell him every day hes my everything and hes gotta fight I can't be here without him," said Holly Oliver.
So while this battle may have left Oliver with a few bandages and scars, it's one challenge he's determined to win and hell have plenty of help every step of the way.
