Whenever Davis Warren felt up to it, he would walk out of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and throw footballs to his dad in the hospital’s garden courtyard. The small space was a far cry from the football fields he was used to. As a coveted high school quarterback in the class of 2021, he was accustomed to dropping back and airing it out to receivers for touchdowns on Friday nights. However, a diagnosis of leukemia in high school set him on a new journey with a different goal: to return to football ready to play. Not only would he play again, but he would go on to lead one of the most storied programs in college football.

The Prospect

In March of 2019, Warren was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a cancer that affects the blood and bone marrow. Just a few months earlier, he was the New Jersey Gridiron Player of the Month and had led his school, The Peddie School, to an undefeated season and a Mid-Atlantic Prep League Championship. Now he faced a five- to eight-month recovery before he could return to the field. Warren set his sights on returning for an early season game on October 3rd.

Warren went through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, causing him to lose over 30 pounds. During that time, he said that  it was his support system and the idea of returning to the football field that kept him going.

“The whole time, I was thinking about playing in a football game.”

During his recovery, Warren began working out in whatever capacity he could, whether it was doing push-ups in his room or biking. Once cleared by doctors, he began the process of rebuilding his body in the weight room. After months of hard work, Warren made it back in time for the October 3rd game. That year, he played in four games, throwing for over 600 yards and six touchdowns. In 2020, he looked forward to returning to the team for his last full season, but the season was canceled due to COVID-19. Even with limited game film from his high school career due to his diagnosis and COVID-19, the staff at Michigan gave him a shot to try out for the team as a preferred walk-on. An opportunity was all he needed.

The Big House

When Warren arrived at Michigan, he started to make an impact right away. After making the team as a walk-on, he made a name for himself as a member of the scout team, eventually being named Scout Team Player of the Year. Over the next three seasons, he made numerous relief appearances in regular season games, with his first start coming against Fresno State to open the 2024 season. Although Michigan came up short against Texas, they are looking to rebound in their upcoming matchup with Arkansas State.

The Message

What’s even more impressive about Warren’s football journey is how he is using his platform to spread awareness and raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. As a spokesperson for the organization, he is helping raise funds through their Light the Night campaign. Click here to learn how you can help.

Throughout his journey, Warren has gained a perspective far beyond his 22 years. In an interview with WKTA radio , he explained that his experience has made him more grateful for his time on the football field and beyond. He shared that one of the quotes he lives by is from Chief Tecumseh, which says:

“When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light, for your life, for your strength. Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.”

Like Warren, we can all work to live grateful lives. Whatever struggles we may face, it is important to find something to be grateful for. If we can change our perspective, we can change our world.