NFL player Chris Draft, Clemson launch scholarship fund in honor of late Keasha Rutledge Draft

ATLANTA, GA - NFL linebacker Chris Draft has launched a scholarship fund with Clemson University as part of the Draft Family Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Dart and his late wife, Clemson graduate Keasha Rutledge Draft, who died in December of lung cancer, just a month after the couple was married.

Keasha, who received her electrical engineering degree from Clemson University and was a member of the Rally Cats dance team, passed away on December 27, 2011 - just one year after being diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Friends and family knew Keasha as a healthy, energetic woman and dancer who never smoked. She is among as many as 24,000 people who die each year of lung cancer not related to smoking.

Draft, a Stanford graduate, played 13 seasons in the NFL, including stints with the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bill and Washington Redskins.

In his wife's honor, Draft launched the Team Draft's nation-wide effort to Tackle Cancer so that Keasha's valiant fight to live, smile, and dance will give hope and comfort to people across the world. The Team Draft's "Changing the Face of Lung Cancer" campaign will raise awareness of lung cancer by shattering misperceptions and raising much-needed funds for continued research and innovation in targeted therapies for personalized treatment. The official launch on ESPN led to a outpouring of support.

Clemson University has also joined the movement with school-wide support. An undergraduate scholarship at Clemson has been established in celebration of Keasha's life and determined spirit. The Keasha Rutledge Draft Memorial scholarship serves to provide an opportunity for Clemson students to further their studies in pursuit of their dreams. "We are committed to changing the face of lung cancer by shattering stereotypes," says Draft. "It is extremely moving to see the Clemson University community rallying together to honor her legacy. Keasha wanted to inspire people to embrace each day and by remembering to dance, smile and live."

On Tuesday February 7, 2012 the Rally Cats will be honoring the memory of Keasha Rutledge Draft at the 7 p.m. EST basketball game. Throughout the entire game, the Rally Cats will be wearing pearls and pearl colored ribbons in honor of Keasha, who was a Rally Cats dancer and as a symbol of lung cancer awareness. They will also be dedicating all of their performances throughout the night to Keasha.