David Pollack has had his share of rough moments. Following an impressive college career at the University of Georgia, he was picked the No. 17 overall pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2005 NFL Draft. However, a promising NFL career was cut short when he suffered a neck injury in the second game of his second season with the Bengals. A subsequent surgery curtailed his playing days before he swiftly transitioned into the role of a prominent college football analyst for ESPN in 2012. However, he was let go by the network in 2023 and while he continued to cover college football, he recently shared a somber update about his wife Lindsey being diagnosed with brain cancer.

Although his wife largely stays out of the spotlight, together the couple runs The Pollack Foundation, which aims to “positively impact communities through empowering families” in Athens and the Greater Atlanta area. The two have been helping the families in the communities to focus on their health and encourage them to develop a better lifestyle. But on Monday, Pollack shared a heart-wrenching update about his wife’s health in a post on X.

“I do not share much of my personal life on social media, but today is gonna be different. If you are the praying type, please lift up my wife Lindsey. She has brain cancer and surgery is Wednesday at Duke. So thankful to serve a loving God that meets us in our struggles,” he wrote and it was quickly followed by an outpouring of support from the college football community, including with whom he worked at ESPN’s GameDay.

Kirk Herbsreit, who worked with Pollack during his tenure with ESPN tweeted, “Prayers for Lindsey and the entire Pollack family.” Herbsreit’s message of support takes a deep meaning as he has walked a similar path.

His wife, Alison Butler, was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2024, something he kept under wrap until January this year. The ESPN College GameDay host also lost his golden retriever, Ben, to cancer in November last year.

In his three-decade-long career with ESPN,  Herbstreit has shared the stage with many colleagues, including David Pollack. The ex-linebacker’s time at ESPN was done, but he still had Herbstreit’s back when he landed in controversy about players opting out of bowl games. Now it’s time for Herbstreit to stand beside Pollack in his hard times. Meanwhile, Pat McAfee, the man who replaced Pollack on College GameDay, also came out in support.

McAfee tweeted, “All my positive vibes and prayers brother 🙏🏻🙏🏻.” Even though many fans, mostly from Georgia, did not spare McAfee after he replaced Pollack on ESPN, the ex-Indianapolis punter has always had a deep respect for David. He once shared, “And then on GameDay, David Pollack got let go. David Pollack—who I am a massive fan of. One of the greatest Bulldogs of all-time. A dude who was very good to me—obviously, I took his spot.”

 McAfee too had to go through a tough time given his family’s health issues. His wife, Samantha, had to fight her battle against infertility. Back in November 2022, Samantha opened up about their journey of conceiving through in vitro fertilization (IVF). Before that, she had two miscarriages that made the process even more physically and mentally demanding. 

Pollack and his wife met during their time at the University of Georgia. As he made his name for the Bulldogs, Lindsey pursued her master’s in early childhood education at the institution. The couple, who have one son and one daughter, have been private about their personal lives for most of the time.

In 2016, they started the “Pollack Family Foundation” to raise awareness about childhood obesity and have helped to provide support services to families in Georgia.

As such to see the overwhelming support for Pollack and his wife after this heartbreaking news was no surprise.

Support pours in for Pollack’s amid news of wife’s surgery

David Pollack, a standout defensive end at Georgia, earned First Team All-America honors three times and secured a place in the College Football Hall of Fame as one of the SEC’s most dominant defenders in 2020. Throughout his journey, he has overcome significant challenges. In his second season with the Bengals, much was expected of him after a solid rookie year. However, playing against the Browns, he suffered a neck injury, which was later determined to be a broken sixth cervical vertebrae during a tackle in the first quarter. He underwent surgery to fuse two vertebrae as the recovery began. However, he never played another down of pro football and his retirement was announced in 2008.

Right now, it’s his family that faces a big battle, and the football community has come out in support.

Pollack’s former GameDay co-worker Rece Davis tweeted, “We will be steadfast in prayer. So many people love you, Lindsey and your entire family. Psalm 130:2. Ryan Clark, former NFL safety and another name with whom Pollack worked, tweeted, “Definitely lifting her up brother!! Praying for steady hands, and a full recovery. Blessings DP.”

The NFL Network’s Scott Hanson also tweeted his support and prayers writing, “Praying for her, you, your family and the health care team. I hope you are heartened by the thousands of responses here. And more so by the character of our great God.” Meanwhile, Mr. College Football, Ton Barnhart also extended his support, tweeting, “Prayers for Lindsey and your whole family my friend.” The messages of support came from outside the football realm.

Former UGA golfer Kevin Kisner tweeted, “Praying for her, you, your family and the health care team. I hope you are heartened by the thousands of responses here. And more so by the character of our great God.”

Pollack has not been shy about his spiritual side and his family is leaning on their faith and community for support. We also send our best wishes and prayers to Lindsey Pollack ahead of her surgery.