Football Player Loses Wife to Cancer One Month After Saying ‘I Do’

December 29th, 2011 - By Brande Victorian

Using a wheelchair to meet her groom at the end of the aisle, Keasha (Rutledge) Draft married the love of her life, 35-year-old football player Chris Draft, in a ceremony Nov. 27 in Atlanta.  Sadly, just one month later to the date, Keasha lost her battle to cancer and passed away Dec. 27.

Video of the couple’s ceremony and reception shows what an emotional and loving celebration their wedding day was as the bride shares a first dance with her husband, cuts the cake, and tosses the bouquet to guests who hope to find a love as strong as hers.

Chris Draft last played for the Washington Redskins in 2010 but dedicated much of his life to giving back to kids by participating in different service projects including his own Chris Draft Family Foundation, which empowers families to live healthy lifestyles. His friends have asked everyone to send prayers to the families as they grieve during this difficult time.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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  • GaryG

    I am very inspired by this: Chris Draft, working with underpriviledged kids AND supporting his love. I salute you, and pray you will get through this. Keasha: I know you can’t read this, but really, that’s commitment. RIP

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  • Ayana

    May the Most High bless the family and fill their hearts and spirits with love as they deal with this time of loss. 

  • Missnewnew

    That was a truly beautiful video. I’m glad they were able to confirm their love for one another in God’s eyes before she past away. It looks as though that was one of the best moment of her life. Chris Draft is blessed soul to that for her.

  • Celestial

    This is so sad. May she rest in peace. <3

  • Ilovemyfamily

    You people and your stupid comments about they should not have had a wedding are heartless. They were a couple who had been together for years. Its their money and I think it was very touching, she wanted to marry the man she loved and the man who loved her honored that, in front of God, friends and family. He loved her enough to make this happen….BEAUTIFUL!

  • Djkrockk

    I have watched this video a few times over the last couple days and each time I shed more tears than before. Im 6’3 247lbs tough guy, a man’s man…. but this man’s man couldnt help but cry for this family. Mo matter how much money was spent, this young man brought this young lady a smile and happiness in her life. In my opinion he loved her so much that gave her what she dreamed of.. which almost all women dream of… a big beautiful wedding. As i looked at the video all i see in her eyes was sheer happiness & joy. In his eyes while they was doing their first dance, i personally saw tears of joy, but also sadness. Sadness that he possibly knew the cancer was gonna take her from him. He married her becuz he loved her & she loved him, but maybe he also married her becuz he did not want her to suffer thru this ordeal on her own. A real man wants to take his wife’s pain away & sometimes that cannot be helped. I believe in my heart this young man had the best of intentions when he asked this beautiful woman to marry him knowing the difficulties that lay ahead for them. So in my closing if i could say anything to this young man is hold on to them memories, shes is a much better place now, no more pain, she is with God now looking down on you smiling saying thats my husband, he is the best. You will see her again becuz i have a feeling she will be waiting at the gates for you.

    I REFUSE TO COMMENT ON THE NEGATIVE POSTS. MY PARENTS RAISED ME BETTER THAN THAT!

    • Shiron

      Very well put!

  • RCDavis

    Just watched the video, nice-happy-sad story,   Most of us will never get to chose how we die, only how we live, nice that they could bring some joy into the end of her life and perhaps he’ll have some consolation knowing he was able to do so now that she is gone.

    That said, what’s up with all the supernaturalists on this thread?  Y’all are trying to bring your gods into the story?  Leave the proselytizing for a bit and let the family rest, they have earned it – and don’t need you trying to make points on their sorrow and grief!

  • KLM

    Sorry for your loss,May God be with you and the family. I will keep you and both 
     family and friends in my prayer.

  • Jturner-1027

    God bless you to the husband and the family

  • Nisaboo

    Did not see the comment everyone is speaking of but surely it could not match the magnificence of this story.  Awesome! He loved her enough to give her more than likely a dying wish or he wanted her to be his wife before she left this earth.  Utterly Awesome!!!  Thats what we should focus on.  The beauty of real LOVE.  Few can truly give or receive it but it is a wonderful thing to be able to witness.

    The idiot who made the comment just wanted attention and they received too much.  Let ’em go and let God get at ‘em.

  • Derique Marie

    Wow! I just sat up here and cried

  • Veronica Lacue

    I CRIED!!! WOW!!! WHAT A LOVE THEIR HAVE. SIR, YOU LOOKED AND SEEM SO HAPPY!!! GOD BLESS YOU AND HER!!! IF SOME MEN COULD BE SO REAL!!! STAY FOCUS AND ENCOURAGED!!! PEACE, LOVE & JOY!!!

    • Wezzie65

      Wow life can’t get no better than this what a Awwsome vido this was 2 see the Love that God planted n theses 2 people 2 God The Glory 4 All the things He let them Share n their Lives as Husband & Wife & now she can Rest N Peace noing she got 2 Marry the Love of Her Life as well God has him covered & God will Mend His Hart back 2gether with Her Hart on Top of His….. Mr Draft U R N My Prayers as well as ur Fam…..

    • Wezzie65

      Wow life can’t get no better than this what a Awwsome vido this was 2 see the Love that God planted n theses 2 people 2 God The Glory 4 All the things He let them Share n their Lives as Husband & Wife & now she can Rest N Peace noing she got 2 Marry the Love of Her Life as well God has him covered & God will Mend His Hart back 2gether with Her Hart on Top of His….. Mr Draft U R N My Prayers as well as ur Fam…..

    • Wezzie65

      Wow life can’t get no better than this what a Awwsome vido this was 2 see the Love that God planted n theses 2 people 2 God The Glory 4 All the things He let them Share n their Lives as Husband & Wife & now she can Rest N Peace noing she got 2 Marry the Love of Her Life as well God has him covered & God will Mend His Hart back 2gether with Her Hart on Top of His….. Mr Draft U R N My Prayers as well as ur Fam…..

  • LadyMichelleD

    I never got to see the negative comments below, but thank God that there are still sensitive, caring human beings who can still, feel, hope and believe in the power of love and the miracle that this woman Kesha received.  Thank God miracles still happen and chivalry isn’t dead when a REAL MAN like this steps up and does what it right in blessing the life of another individual and honoring a life commitment like this without hesitation.  Praising God for this and sending my prayers out to Him.  God will certainly bless you for this step of faith, my brother!

  • guest

    such an amazing, blessed love. True love has no boundaries, though thick and thin and til the end. my prayers are with the draft and rutledge families. god bless.

  • MICHAELSTEWART8066

    SOME THINGS MEAN SO MUCH MORE THAN MONEY. THIS VIDEO MADE ME APPRECIATE MY HUSBAND SO MUCH MORE. I THINK ITS BEAUTIFUL HOW HE WAS WILLING TO GIVE HER JOY AND A SENSE OF NORMALITY ALL THE WAY TO THE END.

  • Reseewright

    I’m sorry for your lost may God bless you and your family.

  • Frankwhite

    Man! God Bless you and your family. You will see your true love again!

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