Punter for UMaine football team faces life-changing cancer surgery
Maine Punter Anthony Percorella Balances Football Season With Life‑Changing Bone Marrow Transplant
ORONO, Maine – University of Maine punter Anthony Percorella, 25, has made a name for himself on the field while quietly preparing for a major medical challenge that could end his football career. The Malverne, New York native, led the Black Bears to a 21‑18 win over Towson on Monday night, averaging 41 yards on seven punts and placing four inside the opponent’s 20‑yard line. For his efforts, he earned Coastal Athletic Association Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Percorella’s performance has earned him praise from teammates and coaches, but the true story lies beyond the scoreboard. Three years ago, before he was set to join Stony Brook as a graduate transfer, he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma and underwent aggressive chemotherapy. In February of last year, a follow‑up blood test revealed that his B cells—the white blood cells that fight infections—had not rebounded. A subsequent genetic test showed that the underlying cause was X‑linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP), a hereditary disorder inherited from his mother that causes the body to misreact to Epstein‑Barr virus infections and can trigger cancers such as lymphoma.
“XLP is a genetic disorder that affects how your body handles certain infections,” said Dr. Susan Prockop of Boston Children’s Hospital, who has been overseeing Percorella’s treatment plan. “The only definitive cure is a bone‑marrow transplant.”
A bone‑marrow transplant is a major operation that requires six weeks of intensive chemotherapy and a long recovery period. After the transplant, Percorella would be unable to play football again. Faced with this reality, he made the difficult decision to postpone the transplant until after the 2026 football season.
“I didn’t know how my body would react after the transplant,” Percorella said. “I wanted to play this year and kind of put that on the back burner.” After consulting with six doctors and discussing his options with family and coaches, he chose to finish the season, hoping to extend his time on the field by a few more months.
To support his weakened immune system, Percorella receives monthly hemoglobin infusions at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Prockop described the infusions as “a band‑aid on a bullet hole” – a temporary fix that keeps his immune system functioning while the underlying problem remains. Percorella returned to campus after his most recent infusion on Monday evening, arriving at 9:30 p.m. to find the coaching staff still preparing for Saturday’s game against Appalachian State.
When asked whether he would miss practice, Percorella was resolute. “Not a chance,” he said. “Tuesday is one of the two days the Black Bears punt in practice. No way I’m missing that.” He added, “If something looks off during my visits to Boston, I’ll have to put football on the back burner. I made my peace with that.”
Beyond the field, Percorella has pursued a variety of academic and community‑service projects. He earned a finance degree and an MBA from Stony Brook, followed by a certificate in athletic administration. He is currently taking classes in social and emotional learning. He also remains active in Team IMPACT, a program that matches college athletes with children facing serious illness or disability. “I’ve formed close bonds with the kids I meet through Team IMPACT,” he said. “I could have been one of those kids, knowing I have this genetic disorder.”
Family support has been a constant in Percorella’s journey. His father, also named Anthony, was an offensive guard in his youth and recalls the day his son discovered his punting talent: “It felt like a joke on my dad. I figured it was God playing a practical joke on him.” The family’s athletic background and shared faith have helped Percorella maintain a positive outlook.
When reflecting on his path, Percorella said, “I wouldn’t wish cancer on anybody, but the lessons I learned from that experience, I would never trade. It really makes you enjoy stuff like this more.” He added, “I’ve had this thing
