Avery Johnson using TDs to help Maize principal fight cancer

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Kansas State University quarterback Avery Johnson is raising money to help his former Maize High School principal Chris Botts with his cancer battle.

Johnson said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he is raising donations for every touchdown he scores to help Botts beat stage four neuroendocrine thymic cancer.

"First and foremost, I wanted to dedicate this season to you and help raise money for you," Johnson told Botts in a video posted to his social media. "Through Champsraise, every touchdown I score this year, we're going to be able to donate some money to you through fans and everything like that."

Johnson told Botts his strength has been motivating for him.

"You're really a motivation to me, just for how strong you are, and I just want you to know you're not going through this fight alone," Johnson said.

Botts replied and said how proud he was of who Johnson is as a person.

"You are the same person you were as a freshman that you are today," Botts said. "You're humble, and you just carry yourself in a way that makes me proud of who you are ... The fact that you want to do this for me, I don't even know what to say."

According to Champsraise, the goal is $20,000. It has currently raised $1,500.

The fundraiser said Botts was diagnosed with large-cell neuroendocrine thymic cancer in March 2022. In October 2022, his family received the news that Chris was cancer-free. The cancer returned in January 2023.

"This time, however, his cancer also came with metastatic disease, resulting in the earth-shattering news of stage 4 cancer," Botts' wife Mollie said on Champsraise. "He has exhausted all approved chemo options and is now showing promising results with a clinical trial! The clinical trial means Chris has weekly trips to MD Anderson in Houston, TX.  He flies back and forth every Tuesday.  Every third Tuesday is chemo and usually requires an overnight stay as well."

Champraise said pledges will convert to a donation each month throughout the season based on the number of touchdowns by Johnson in the month prior.

For example, if you pledge $10 and Johnson scores 10 touchdowns in October, your pledge turns into a $100 donation on Nov. 15. For September, touchdowns will only count for the BYU and Oklahoma State games since the campaign launched on Sept. 14.

For more information or to donate, click here.