WWE legend Bret 'The Hitman' Hart announces he's battling prostate cancer

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It is with great remorse that I feel compelled to speak truthfully to my friends, family and my millions of fans around the world. In the past few years, I've spent more than enough time paying the price for all those years trying to be the best there ever was as a professional wrestler. I executed excellently and my proudest claim was that I never seriously hurt or injured another wrestler in my 23 year career. I've paid a price for all that "fake" wrestling ... Mark Helprin wrote: "We are all perfect clocks that Divinity has set to ticking when, even before birth, the heart explodes into a lifelong dance." I've had a great lifelong dance and I'm a survivor of many hard battles. I now face my toughest battle. With hesitation and fear, I openly declare myself in my fight against prostate cancer. In the next few days, I will undergo surgery with the hope of defeating this nemesis once and for all. My fans have always looked upon me as a hero and I've always done my best to live up to that in and out of the ring. I beat the odds when I suffered my stroke in 2002, but it is now yet again, that I ... stand unafraid and face the tough road ahead of me, I will march toward this destiny with his spirit chanting in my ear. I make a solemn vow to all of those that once believed in me, the dead and the living, that I will wage my fearsome fight against cancer with one shield and one sword carrying my determination and my fury for life, emboldened by all the love that's kept me going this long already. Love is my weapon and I've got much of it around me all the time, for which I'm truly blessed and eternally grateful. My children, grandchildren, and my loving wife Steph have been and will constantly be at my side. I refuse to lose, I will never give in or give up, and I will win this battle or die trying. Most important of all, I hope can take the fight to prostate cancer. To be a leader in awareness and to set the example for men everywhere who find themselves in my very same shoes, that prostate cancer can be beaten. B x

A post shared by Bret (@brethitmanhart) on Feb 1, 2016 at 8:28am PST

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I'm so proud of @brethitmanhart for coming forward about his battle with cancer and using his voice to help others. I know it's taken a lot of courage for Bret to share this, but now his voice is a powerful tool that can help inspire the masses. If anyone can beat this, it's Bret. #bestthereisbesttherewasbestthereeverwillbe ❤️

A post shared by natbynature (@natbynature) on Feb 1, 2016 at 9:50am PST

Thoughts and prayers with @BretHart and his family. Let's all get in his corner to help him win this fight!!! #GetWellHitman

— Triple H (@TripleH) February 1, 2016

Everyone gets knocked down...but the BEST get through it. Prayers are with @BretHart ... We're all with you. #GetWellHitman

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) February 1, 2016

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Since I was a teenager @brethitmanhart has been a hero and an inspiration to me. And today he continues to inspire me, by going public with his battle with cancer. Join me in standing by him and fighting with him until he beats this disease!! #HitmanForever

A post shared by Chris Jericho (@chrisjerichofozzy) on Feb 1, 2016 at 10:48am PST

Love, Prayers, & Good Vibes to @BretHart. There lies a battle ahead but in knowing who's fighting it, I don't like the enemies chances.

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) February 1, 2016

Just heard my bro @BretHart has cancer. Sending you love & energy my man. Love you bro pic.twitter.com/ZBdEEPs8wn

— Virgil (@TheRealVirgil) February 1, 2016