When Minnesota Vikings linebacker Cameron Smith was tested for COVID-19 in early August, he tested positive, but that’s not all medics found. Further testing revealed something that could have killed him had it not been detected: a congenital heart defect.
Smith, 23, announced on Aug. 8 that following COVID testing, doctors found he was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, a condition that caused “severe enlargement of his heart.” On Instagram, Smith said her heart “wouldn’t have lasted longer” if the flaw had not been found.
The fix for Smith’s defect was open heart surgery. That would put him out of service for the 2020 season, which would only have been his second season in the NFL, but he would be able to return to football upon recovery.
This recovery begins now. Smith announced on Instagram on Tuesday that he has had successful open heart surgery and is ready to begin returning to the field as soon as he can.
Smith hopes to help Vikings in 2020
Smith underwent surgery in Philadelphia, where he will begin a 12-week rehabilitation program. After that, Vikings coach Mike Zimmer said Smith wanted to come back to Minnesota and help the team in any way he could.
“He will come to the meetings, he will draw [play] cards, he’ll help with the Boy Scout team, whatever, ”Zimmer told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “We hope he will come back and be able to play football, but more importantly he looks to be in good health.”
Smith may not be able to play football in 2020, but even open heart surgery can’t stop him from helping his teammates.
Cameron Smith feels lucky that a positive COVID-19 test has led doctors to find a dangerous congenital heart defect. (Photo by Jevone Moore / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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