Solder’s son battle with cancer puts faith first

Nate Solder, OL, Colorado: The 17th overall pick in the 2011 draft by New England, Solder has made more than 60 starts at left tackle for the Patriots. He also has lined up at right tackle and tight end. (New England had the 17th pick from Oakland as part of the 2009 trade that sent Richard Seymour to the Raiders.)

Credit: Jim Rogash

Credit: Jim Rogash

Nate Solder, OL, Colorado: The 17th overall pick in the 2011 draft by New England, Solder has made more than 60 starts at left tackle for the Patriots. He also has lined up at right tackle and tight end. (New England had the 17th pick from Oakland as part of the 2009 trade that sent Richard Seymour to the Raiders.)

Patriots tackle Nate Solder, a cancer survivor himself, now must help his son fight a rare form of pediatric kidney cancer.

“It’s putting so many thing in perspective,” Solder said on Tuesday as the Patriots prepared to play the Eagles in the Super Bowl. “It’s forced me to re-order my priorities with my family being at the top. I think it does put things in perspective and makes you appreciate what you have and the opportunities that you are given.”

During the regular season, Solder went to chemotherapy sessions with his two-and-half-year-old son Hudson on Tuesdays. They would sit and play with action figures to pass the time during treatment.

Solder said his faith has helped him fight through these tough times.

“There are times when we are on our knees praying and crying,” Solder said of his wife Lexi and himself. “It was just God that carried us through all of those things. People have given me credit for being strong, but I don’t feel strong at all. I feel like I’m just doing what God’s told me to do. He’s the one that carries me.”