Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano, who was diagnosed with leukemia last week, sent an email to each of his players earlier in the week.
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Colts offensive coordinator and interim coach Bruce Arians, who described the letter as "very emotional" read the letter to the Colts' players on Saturday as the team prepared for Sunday's game against the visiting Green Bay Packers.
Pagano is receiving treatment at an Indianapolis hospital for acute promyelocytic leukemia and is out indefinitely. The first-year head coach hopes to be back on the sideline at some point later this season.
Here's an excerpt of the email Pagano sent his players:
"My condition will not determine my position. I understand the condition but choose to focus on my position. That is to stay positive and SERVE.
"WE WILL, WE CAN, WE MUST. WE HAVE NO CHOICE. BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY. WE WILL OVERCOME.
"IT'S ALL IN THE PROPER STATE OF MIND."
UPDATE: Pagano also sent a message to the fans:
Dear Colts Fans,
On behalf of the Pagano family, we want to say thank you for all the love and support that you have shown.
All the cards, gifts, emails, success stories and prayers that we have been showered with give us a tremendous amount of peace and strength.
We could not get through this without you.
Coach P
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