Atlanta Falcons

Falcons owner Arthur Blank announces he has prostate cancer

Published Feb. 9, 2016 4:25 p.m. ET

foxsports

Atlanta Falcons owner and chairman Arthur Blank has been diagnosed with prostate cancer, the team announced Tuesday.

Blank, in a statement, described his cancer as "treatable" and outlined the approach he and his fiancee have chosen to battle the disease.

Via the Atlanta Falcons website:

“In December I was diagnosed with a treatable form of prostate cancer. Over the last several weeks Angie and I have visited a number of expert doctors and hospitals across the country to identify the best treatment options for me. I have chosen an aggressive approach that will include surgery and the overall prognosis is good. I’m looking forward to getting this behind me and continuing a very active lifestyle, my upcoming wedding, as well as continued active involvement in our businesses and philanthropic efforts for years to come.”

Blank, 73, purchased the Falcons in 2002. Since then, the team has had five different head coaches and appeared in two NFC championship games (2004, 2012). Blank's net worth is $2.6 billion and his football franchise is worth $1.7 billion, according to Forbes.com.

Falcons wide receiver Roddy White said he was heartened by Blank optimistic prognosis. "Thank God, because I love that man," White told ESPN.com. "He changed my life. I'm praying for a speedy recovery."