NFL player whose child is battling cancer makes Bengals history

CINCINNATI, Ohio (KABC) -- Defensive lineman Devon Still's story has touched people across nation.

The football player's 4-year-old daughter, Leah, was diagnosed with cancer and has been getting chemotherapy treatments since June. After having trouble focusing during training camp and getting injured in a preseason game, Still was cut by the Cincinnati Bengals -- effectively ending his health care benefits.

However, when the Bengals found out what Still was going through, they signed him to their practice squad so he could keep his medical coverage for his daughter.

Well, this week, Still was promoted back to the Bengals' active roster. And what's more, the Bengals announced they will donate proceeds from Still's jersey sales to Children's Hospital in Cincinnati and pediatric cancer care and research.

The No. 75 jersey quickly became the team's top seller -- selling more on Tuesday than any other Bengals' player in history.

New Orleans head coach Sean Payton bought 100 of them himself. The sales have already brought in more than $100,000.

"I was amazed," Still said on Wednesday. "I was shocked. Just the fact that it sold more in 24 hours than any Bengals jersey, it shows how much the world of sports has an impact on what's going on in this world."

Still is grateful that the Bengals have supported him while he struggled rather than releasing him.

"I'm not going to lie, I thought just like everybody else: This is a business," Still said. "For them to be behind me this much is amazing to me and it's definitely changed my perspective on the world of sports."

The national support has been gratifying as well.

"One of the main things I wanted to do was raise awareness for pediatric cancer," Still said. "I didn't want her fight to be for no reason. I wanted to bring light upon every family and every child who's going through this same battle so that they can receive help from outside people."

Even though it's unclear when he'll get to play, Still has decided on a celebration should he get a sack - a wiggle move that makes his daughter laugh.

"I'm definitely going to do that if I get a sack," he said.

KTRK-TV and The Associated Press contributed to this report.