Cameron Smith, the Minnesota Vikings linebacker, has revealed on Instagram that he will be skipping the 2020 season. Smith, who tested positive for COVID-19, shared that after he was tested, doctors discovered he has a congenital heart disease.

Although Smith has had the condition since birth, it had not been discovered until now. He will be undergoing open-heart surgery to correct it.

On Instagram, Smith shared the news. “Although this will, unfortunately, end my 2020 season, it is really a blessing that we found this as my heart is severely enlarged and wouldn’t have lasted much longer,” he wrote. “By no means am I ready to be done playing football, there is still so much more I want to accomplish on the field. I’m going to attack this life everything else I have in life. Already looking forward to the comeback! #SKOL.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDo8_8Eljww/

Smith was drafted by the Vikings in the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Southern California and played in five games last season. Although this was not part of his plan, after his first post, Smith shared another Instagram message. “I just want to say thank you for all of the support I have received over the last 24 hours,” he said. “It means more than most of you may know…I’ll keep everyone as updated as possible. I’m coming out on the other side stronger than ever.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsIIpqFFpU/

Smith has now joined a growing list of NFL players to opt-out of the upcoming season.

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Article by Caroline Bryceland

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