Cancer couldn't kill it. Neither could consecutive losing seasons, nor being passed over in the NFL Draft.

Brian Godfrey's dream of playing in the National Football League remains alive.

A four-year starter at nose tackle for Slippery Rock University, Godfrey accepted an invitation to compete for a roster spot as a free agent with the Washington Redskins. He left today for the club's four-day mini-camp.

Carolina, Miami and Minnesota were other NFL teams talking to Godfrey's agent about a free-agent opportunity.

"He chose the Redskins because they didn't draft any defensive linemen," said SRU defensive line coach Shawn Lutz. "Brian feels like that's his best chance to stick."

SRU head coach George Mihalik said the Redskins were planning to invite six free agent defensive linemen to mini-camp will keep three.

The 6-foot-2, 303-pound Godfrey was a three-time first team All-PSAC West selection. He was first team All-Northeast Region in 2004 and participated in the Cactus Bowl, a Division II all-star game, earlier this year.

"Brian performed great during his two days with the pro scouts before the Cactus Bowl," Mihalik said. "If a Division II player is going to get a serious look from the NFL, he almost has to make the Cactus Bowl.

"The Redskins play a 43 defense similar to ours. That has to help Brian a little bit."

During his NFL workouts, Godfrey bench-pressed 225 pounds 35 times, had a vertical jump of 32 inches and ran the 40-yard dash in 5.1 seconds.

"For a 300-pound man, those numbers are outstanding," Lutz said. "They were among the top 10 percent of linemen throughout the country.

"Brian's strength sets him apart. He squats over 600 pounds. He's the strongest player for someone his size that I've ever been around and that includes (Lutz's time at) West Virginia University."

Godfrey is battling his reputation as a cancer survivor, however. He has been cancer-free for nearly five years since being diagnosed with Hodgkin's Disease in 2000. His last cancer treatment was December of that year.

Still, some NFL teams were scared off by such medical history.

"I know four or five teams called (SRU football trainer Scott) Zema directly to check on that," Mihalik said. "Teams were obviously worried about it."

Those concerns bothered Godfrey.

"It's frustrating because there's nothing I can do about that (cancer)," Godfrey said. "It's not something I can work on to improve.

"I played my entire collegiate career and never missed a game. All of a sudden, I have durability and health issues."

Lutz is hopeful Godfrey uses his frustration as motivation.

"I want him to go in there with a chip on his shoulder," Lutz said. "Be mad because no one drafted you, perform like you have something to prove.

"Physically, Brian Godfrey can play at that level."

Godfrey watched the entire NFL draft last weekend.

"I didn't expect to get drafted, but the hope was always there," he said. "After the draft, my agent was working on some things.

"He called me Monday morning and asked how I felt about the Redskins. I said fine, he said they'd be calling me in five minutes. And they did."

"All it takes is one team to give you a shot," Mihalik said. "Whether you're a draft pick or a free agent choice, you're going to one team and you're trying to make one team.

"Brian gets to live out a dream every high school football player has. He gets to put on an NFL uniform and experience life on the other side of the fence."

Godfrey is the first SRU player to reach an NFL camp since receiver D.J. Flick signed with the Steelers in 2002. Released at the end of training camp that year, Flick is now an all-pro receiver in the Canadian Football League.

SRU running back Lamont Coleman signed with the Steelers as a free agent in 1994 and was a member of their 1995 Super Bowl team.

Bill Ricks, a center for The Rock who played in last year's Cactus Bowl, is now playing arena football.

Godfrey graduated in December with a degree in occupational safety.

"I'm just happy the Redskins took a chance on a smaller school kid with a medical history," he said. "Hopefully, I can make it worth their while."

Here is a look at Slippery Rock University nose tackle Brian Godfrey's college career. The four-year starter has been invited to the Washington Redskins' mini-camp as a free agent:Year Tackles Assists For Loss SacksFrosh 17 10 7 5Soph.. 15 20 6½ 3Junior 28 19 17 5Senior 25 11 6 3Total 85 60 36½ 16