A retired NFL player, Chris Draft, lost his wife Lakeasha Rutledge Draft just a month after their wedding. She died on Tuesday, December 27 after battling lung cancer.

The 35-year-old Chris Draft married the apple of his eye in a touching ceremony on November 27 in Atlanta, Georgia. At that point, Rutledge was so fragile that that she even used a wheelchair to meet her groom down the aisle.

In a statement on his foundation's website, Draft wrote: 

"Not just an inspiration, but a light, and a force that led the way with a beautiful, sweet smile and bright shining eyes that both belied the pure steel of her strength and determination.Strong is too pale, too shallow and too small of a word to describe Keasha's vibrancy... quite simply, she was ferocious. She fiercely held onto life, and love with a forcefulness that was absolutely awe-inspiring and completely breathtaking. Rest in peace, Mrs. Draft."

On December 30, sympathizers created a Facebook page entitled "Keasha Rutledge Draft's Celebration" which, as of January 7, already boasts 3,387 likes.

Chris Draft played 12 years in the NFL with several teams but last played for the Washington Redskins in 2010. He has also launched several projects geared at helping kids across Atlanta and beyond.