The first time Dr. David Morris met Calvin Anderson, the 6-foot-5 offensive lineman was his patient at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Anderson had been admitted to the emergency room, severely ill with malaria after a philanthropic trip to Nigeria. In his fevered state, Anderson insisted he needed to leave to “protect Mac” and avoid disappointing “Bill.” Dr. Morris had no idea who “Mac” and “Bill” were, nor did he realize Anderson was a member of the New England Patriots. It all became clear once he was informed.
It was so impressive to see your mental strength in that moment,” Dr. Morris remarked during their reunion on Thursday. “The Patriots are so lucky to have you.
Anderson acknowledged he was also fortunate. This visit to the hospital was vastly different from his first, as he took the opportunity to thank the doctors, nurses, and medical staff who saved his life in July 2023. Anderson took photos, signed jerseys, and, most importantly, expressed his gratitude face-to-face.
“Thank you,” Anderson said upon arrival. “My dad is a physician, and I have great respect for the preparation you all put in to take care of me when I didn’t know if I’d make it to the next day. I’m super grateful. Thank you for being there when I couldn’t be there for myself.”
Last year, Anderson should have been preparing for training camp, but his wife Sherée noticed something was wrong. Despite feeling unwell, he wanted to push through his routine of 100 push-ups daily. When she saw him struggle, she knew he needed medical help and convinced him to get checked out, with support from Anderson’s father, a doctor in Texas. Only then did Anderson realize the severity of his situation.
Sherée effectively saved his life by getting him in just in time,” said Dr. Harry Schrager, an infectious disease specialist. “His organs were stressed and ready to deteriorate. Malaria from West Africa can be life-threatening, and young, healthy individuals often mistake it for the flu or bad diarrhea. His illness presented atypically, so he owes her quite a bit, and we’re fortunate she made the right decision.
Things worsened before they improved at the hospital. One night, Anderson told his wife he wasn’t sure he’d make it through. With a significant fever, it was hard to think beyond the immediate moment. The hospital staff also faced the challenge of ensuring Anderson consumed enough calories to recover and return to the football field.
“It’s one thing to address the infection, which was serious,” said Dr. Eleanor Paglia, another member of his care team. “But for an elite athlete, the caloric and protein needs are different. Sherée was a great advocate and highlighted the issue, leading us to involve nutrition and remove restrictions. It was eye-opening.”
Sherée joked that “the kitchen thought I was running some kind of scheme.”
Nearly a year later, Anderson is medically cleared and fully participating in Organized Team Activities with the Patriots. Although Boston’s renowned medical care wasn’t a factor in his decision to join the Patriots, he now has a deep appreciation for it.
Anderson and Sherée are committed to giving back to the community that provided him a second chance at life. “In retrospect, I’m so grateful for the quality of care here,” Anderson said. “I didn’t anticipate enduring what I did last year when I signed, but I’m very grateful. My wife and I have invested in this area and are grateful for this staff. They brought me back to feeling good again.”
