Linebacker Cameron Smith, Minnesota Vikings, needs open heart surgery and will be sidelined for the 2020 season.
Smith announced the development on Instagram on Saturday, noting that he recently learned through testing positive for COVID-19 that he has a serious heart condition.
“I found out I needed open heart surgery to repair a bicuspid aortic valve where I was born,” Smith posted. “Although this will unfortunately end my 2020 season, it is really a blessing that we found this, because my heart is badly enlarged and would not last much longer. I found this out after testing positive for COVID and had to test further done as a protocol. The Lord works in mysterious ways, but I could really feel Him in these! “
The second-year linebacker added that he has been selected to undergo a procedure whereby he can play football again once he is cured and is removed. The Vikings selected Smith in the fifth round of the 2019 draft from USC, where he was a four-year starter. He appeared in five games as a rookie for Minnesota, collecting eight tackles.
“I’m in no way ready to do football, there’s so much more I want to achieve on the pitch,” Smith wrote. “I will attack this like everything I have in life. Already looking forward to the comeback! #SCHOOL”
