Punter for UMaine football team faces life-changing bone marrow transplant

Maine punter Anthony Pecorella chooses to play a full season before a life‑saving bone‑marrow transplant

ORONO, Maine – Anthony Pecorella, the 25‑year‑old punter for the University of Maine Black Bears, is finishing a season marked by solid kicks and personal triumphs, knowing that it will be his last on the gridiron before a bone‑marrow transplant takes his place.

Pecorella, a native of Malverne, New York, was diagnosed with X‑linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) after a bout of Burkitt lymphoma that began three years ago. The genetic disorder, inherited from his mother, makes the body’s immune cells overreact to viruses such as Epstein‑Barr, turning a mild infection into a severe immune‑system attack. Doctors concluded that a bone‑marrow transplant is the only curative option, a procedure that would end his football career.

“I won’t wish cancer on anyone, but the lessons I learned from that experience, I would never trade,” Pecorella told reporters after his season‑opening win against Towson. “Even just a Tuesday practice, we come out here and just have fun. You could be sitting in a hospital bed, which I will be in a few months from now. Why not enjoy it while you’re here?”

The decision to postpone the transplant until after the season was not taken lightly. Pecorella consulted six doctors, some advising an immediate transplant and others allowing him to wait if he felt healthy. He ultimately chose to play this year, stating, “I’m healthy now, so I wanted to play this year and kind of put that on the back burner.” He said he would keep his options open: “Every time I go to Boston to get my blood tested, if something looks off, I have to put football on the back burner.”

Pecorella has been receiving monthly hemoglobin infusions at Boston Children’s Hospital to boost his immune system—a temporary “Band‑Aid on a bullet hole,” he described. His most recent infusion arrived in Orono on Monday evening, and he was ready to kick in practice the next morning, insisting he could not afford to miss a day.

On the field, Pecorella has been a consistent presence. In the 21‑18 victory over Towson, he averaged 41 yards on seven punts, dropping four inside the opponent’s 20‑yard line, earning Coastal Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week honors. He joined the Black Bears in 2025 after a stint as a graduate transfer at Stony Brook, where he completed an MBA while battling cancer. His academic credentials also include a finance degree and a certificate in athletic administration.

Off the field, Pecorella is active in community outreach. He works with Team IMPACT, a program that pairs college athletes with children facing serious illness or disability. “I could have been one of those kids, knowing I have this genetic disorder,” he reflected. “I could’ve been one of those kids, knowing I have this genetic disorder.” He also maintains close ties to his father, also named Anthony, who played offensive guard and introduced him to the world of kicking.

Pecorella’s story has garnered support from the Black Bears coaching staff and the broader Maine community. “Doctor Susan Prockop at Boston Children’s Hospital was on board with his decision,” the team said. “They’re confident he can manage the infusion schedule while staying on the field.”

The upcoming transplant is scheduled for after the football season concludes, though the exact date has not been set. The procedure will involve additional chemotherapy and a six‑week hospital stay. For now, Pecorella remains focused on the next game, whether against Appalachian State this Saturday or the final regular‑season contests.

“We’re all rooting for him,” said a Maine coach. “He’s shown that he can handle the toughest situations, both on the field and in life.”

Pecorella’s determination to make the most of his remaining season, combined with his courage in the face of a life‑threatening disease, exemplifies the resilience that defines the Black Bears. Whether he will see the end of the season or the start of his transplant journey, his story already provides inspiration beyond the football field.