Andrew Whitworth, Devon Still speak on Lauren Hill's passing

Andrew Whitworth was one of Lauren Hills's biggest supporters, figuratively and literally.

The 6'7", 330-pound Whitworth made a large donation on Hill's behalf last year not long after she was diagnosed with an inoperable form of cancer. He, along with the rest of the world, was saddened to hear of Hill's inevitable passing on Friday.

"Sad day, but I’m grateful for Lauren’s spirit and the passion she had to make a difference," Whitworth said, via Bengals.com. "We talk about inspirational athletes in sports all the time. Lauren Hill, in my mind, for what she overcame is one of the greatest inspirational stories in sports. We all want our life to mean something and Lauren Hill accomplished that and then some!!"

Devon Still had a strong understanding of what Hill was going through, being that his daughter, Leah has been battling pediatric cancer for the past year. He posted this via Instagram after learning of Hill's passing:

"When you die it does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you leave." Lauren never let this terrible disease define her. She didn't let it control whether she lived out her dream of playing college ball and she fought to live pass what doctors originally told her she would. Lauren left her mark on this world by showing people what it really meant to NEVER GIVE UP. So would I say she lost her battle with cancer? Hell no! Because of her fight and selfless act of using her fight to raise an incredible amount of money and awareness, doctors will one day find a cure for DIPG! It hurt like hell seeing the news this morning and i'm not even sure how I'm going to tell my daughter. In the past two weeks, two kids that I have met and developed relationships with have passed from cancer smh something's got to give its not right #For22 #LaurenStrong

A photo posted by Devon Still (@man_of_still75) on Apr 10, 2015 at 6:59am PDT