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Jaguars defensive lineman Rodney Gunter announced today that he is leaving football because he has been diagnosed with a dangerous heart condition.
‘These last three weeks have been a hard pill to swallow. Seeing my dreams right in front of me has been extremely difficult, ‘Gunter said in a statement. “After seeing several heart specialists, I was told that if I continued to play ball with my condition, I would be able to break or rupture my aorta, which is being enlarged. This can cause a sudden death or a severe stroke.
“There is a 50/50 chance that surgery will repair my current state of health. But at the moment I do not meet the criteria to undergo the operation. Those who qualify must have 5.5+ cm enlarged aorta, while mine has 5.0 cm. At this time I can not play or have the operation, so I have to wait. That right now is the best choice for me and my family to get away from this game.
‘I appreciate the Jaguars for giving me a chance, and I’m grateful to everyone who believed in me along the way. Thank you!”
The 28-year-old Gunter was a fourth-round draft pick from the Cardinals in 2015 and spent five seasons in Arizona. He signed this year as a free agent with the Jaguars.
