Cameron Smith, a reserve linebacker for the Minnesota Vikings, has “taken the heartbreaking decision to retire from the NFL,” he said on Instagram on Wednesday night. Smith had open heart surgery last year.
Last August, Smith, 24, had surgery to treat an enlarged heart after a false positive COVID-19 test revealed a genetic abnormality.
He was set to return in 2021 after missing the 2020 season.
Smith got a few snaps in Minnesota’s preseason opener on Saturday before leaving with a concussion in the second quarter.
“Football has been such a huge part of my life for the past 18 years,” Smith wrote in the post.
“It has given me innumerable friendships, great memories, and priceless lessons that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
Last year, when I had open heart surgery, I struggled a lot with what I was asking my body to do in order to play this incredible game.
Finally, I’ve determined that I’ve been asking too much of it.
“I have made the painful choice to retire from the NFL after great consideration and extensive discussion with my friends and family.”
“I know this change will be difficult, but I am thrilled to approach this next chapter of my life with the same passion and determination as I did football,” Smith wrote in his post. Smith was drafted by the Vikings in the fifth round out of USC in 2019.
