Vikings LB Cameron Smith retires one year after heart surgery
Vikings linebacker Cameron Smith completed a comeback from heart surgery, but plans to retire from the NFL.
Smith, 24, issued a statement via Instagram on Wednesday night.
“After careful consideration and thorough discussion with my friends and family, I have made the difficult decision to retire from the NFL,” the statement read in part. “I know this transition isn’t going to be easy, but I am excited to tackle this next chapter of my life with the same passion and pursuit that I did football.”
He was a fifth-round pick by Minnesota in 2019 out of Southern Cal and missed the 2020 season.
Following a false positive COVID-19 test last August, Smith learned through an extensive physical he would need surgery to repair a congenital heart defect.
Smith played for Minnesota in the preseason opener. He logged 18 snaps on defense, six on special teams, and recorded one tackle before leaving the game with a concussion.
–Field Level Media
