CHICAGO – Former Illinois defensive tackle Chris Norwell is being treated for cancer, just a year after wrapping up his college football career at the Rose Bowl.

Norwell’s sister, Ingrid Browning, says Norwell was diagnosed with Burkitt’s non-Hodgkins lymphoma in October. She says Norwell is being treated off and on at a hospital near Cincinnati, his hometown.

The 23-year-old Norwell was among the Minnesota Vikings’ last cuts in 2007, not long before he became ill. He started all four years at Illinois.

Norwell’s high school is holding an event in February to raise money for him. Former Illinois teammates are trying to raise money to help the family pay his medical bills, too.