Northeastern University football player Brian Mandeville received devastating news on Friday at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis during routine physical examinations. The star tight end, who missed a third of his senior season with knee injuries and even survived a brain tumor while in college, was told by Combine doctors that he has a heart ailment, effectively ending his football career.

Mandewille was diagnosed with an abnormal heart valve, which is not considered life-threatening, but the problem could become dangerous under the strenuous training regimens of the NFL.

“I told him his health and well-being is what’s important” Northeastern coach Rocky Hager told the Boston Herald. “I don’t know if that means he’ll continue in a career in sports, but then everybody’s career in sports eventually comes to an end. But I think he’s so well grounded and his parents have done a great job raising him and he always has the right attitude.”

Mandeville caught 63 passes for 863 yards and seven touchdowns in 33 games, worthy of earning first-team All-New England honors. Northeastern’s I-AA football program went 2-10 last year and hasn’t had a winning season since 2003.

About The Author

Britt Braudo is a Blast contributing editor and sports blogger. She can be reached at [email protected].

3 Responses

  1. Marc Lifchez

    What is the ailment? Bicuspid valve? What? Did anyone see anything specific. Thank you!

    Reply
  2. cjd

    My son has a bicuspid aorta and it cut his Div. 1 basketball career short. He is doing ok but he will eventually need a value replacement. Our family can totally relate to Brian. We wish him the best of luck.

    Reply

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