Cameron Smith To Undergo Open Heart Surgery

Cameron Smith is the beneficiary of an unlikely stroke of luck, albeit one that will see him miss the 2020 NFL season.

The Minnesota Vikings linebacker requires surgery on a life-threatening heart condition that was discovered last week.

Cameron Smith tested positive for the coronavirus, after which additional tests were carried out. As a result, his heart issue was discovered and he will undergo open heart surgery. 

The 23-year-old announced the news on his Instagram account on Sunday.

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“Earlier this week I found out I need open heart surgery to fix a bicuspid aortic valve that I was born with,” Cameron Smith wrote.

“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.

“I found this out after I tested positive for Covid and had to have further testing done as protocol. The Lord works in mysterious ways, but I could really feel him on this one!

“There is a surgery that will allow me to continue to play football as soon as I am healed and cleared and I didn’t think twice about going with that one,” he added.

“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 like everything else I have in life. Already looking forward to the comeback!”

Read: Dak Prescott, Mike McCarthy Embark on Critical Year in Dallas

Smith was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the 5th round of the 2019 NFL draft. He recorded eight tackles in five appearances during his rookie season. 

He is not the only player who will miss the 2020 season after the Covid opt-out deadline last Thursday. In total, 66 players have chosen to opt out of the season over concerns about the pandemic.