The following week, after a full practice, Skaggs felt numbness in his arms and hands and was taken to a neurosurgeon for MRI and CAT scans. There, the first indications of possible brain tumors were discovered. Knowing their popular teammate had a potential life-threatening illness, the Blaze dedicated their 51-14 victory over Colorado on June 4 to Skaggs.

Even after more tests revealed the seriousness of his cancer, Skaggs was determined to share his story and to recover.

"I'm an optimistic person and a hard-headed son of a gun, I really am," Skaggs said in an interview with the Deseret Morning News on Monday. "I don't care what the statistics say or what anyone says — I'm going to beat this. I don't care what the odds are."

Tragically, Skaggs was just beginning to fight his illness at the Huntsman Cancer Institute with radiation therapy and chemotherapy before the complications cut off his battle early.

"It's tragic something like this happened to a good guy like Justin," said White. "He didn't deserve it. We'll miss him."

AFL commissioner David Baker released the following statement Friday afternoon: "It is always disheartening to lose a member of the Arena Football family, but even more so when that member is taken from us at such a young age. Justin Skaggs was a true Ironman who played on each side of the ball with equal passion and veracity. Everyone in the Arena Football family extends their most sincere condolences to Justin's family and the Blaze organization."

A memorial service will be held at EnergySolutions Arena on Monday at 10 a.m. in the International Room. The pubic is welcome to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Justin Skaggs Memorial Account by visiting any Zions Bank location. Checks can also be mailed to: Zions Bank, 1 South Main, Ste. 100, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.

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E-mail: lojo@desnews.com