Toby Keith credits his faith as his ‘rock’ through cancer battle: ‘I just pray and lean into it’

Country music legend Toby Keith says his faith has been his “rock,” seeing him through the darker times of his cancer battle.

Keith was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2021.

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“I lean on my faith, and I just pray and lean into it,” Keith told Fox News. “You gotta’ do what you gotta’ do, and I don’t know how people do it without faith … that’s what I did; it was my rock.”

Keith’s cancer battle has kept him from performing of late, but he said he hopes to return to the stage in the fall if “everything goes good.”

The country music singer and songwriter was honored with the Icon Award at the People’s Choice Country Awards on Thursday.

“30 years of all the songs I wrote, and they’re flashing by ya pretty quick,” Keith said. “30 went by pretty quick … I’m glad they’re recognizing our accomplishment.”

Blake Shelton presented Keith with the Icon Award.

“He’s who I would’ve chosen,” Keith said of Shelton being the one to present the award. “He’s an old friend of mine, I was his first tour when he came out. We remain friends, we’re a lot of like … kindred spirits kind of thing.”

“I love my Oklahoma brother,” Shelton told Keith as he presented the award.

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In June 2022, Keith shared the news of his cancer diagnosis on social media.

“Last fall I was diagnosed with stomach cancer,” he wrote. “I’ve spent the last 6 months receiving chemo, radiation and surgery. So far, so good. I need time to breathe, recover and relax.”