Minnesota Vikings linebacker Cameron Smith announced on Saturday that he needs to have open heart surgery that will end his 2020 season. The surgery will fix an aortic valve Smith was born with that led to what he described as a “severely enlarged” heart. Smith only found out he needed surgery after testing positive for COVID-19 and undergoing further testing as a result.

>> Subscribe to Sports Spectrum Magazine for more stories where sports and faith connect <<

In his Instagram post, Smith said the positive COVID test was a blessing because his heart would not have lasted much longer.

“The Lord works in mysterious ways, but I could really feel him on this one!” he wrote.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDo8_8Eljww/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Numerous teammates and fellow NFL players responded to Smith’s post with messages of support.

“Praying for you brotha!” Vikings receiver Adam Thielen wrote.

“Man this is hard to read. Prayers up for you brotha,” said Vikings running back Alexander Mattison.

“Thank god they found out. Blessed to to have you on this team and in our group,” wrote Vikings co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Adam Zimmer.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Adoree’ Jackson, Dallas Cowboys linebacker Leighton Vander Esch and Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book were also among those who responded to Smith’s post.

All the messages have “given me strength beyond belief,” Smith wrote on Sunday. He continued to say, ⁣”I’m all smiles over here and I wouldn’t be this way with out the lord and my support system! I’ll keep everyone as updated as possible. I’m coming out on the other side stronger than ever.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CDsIIpqFFpU/

A four-year starter at USC, Smith was selected by the Vikings in the fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He appeared in five games for Minnesota as a rookie last season, recording eight tackles. And he has every intention of continuing his football career once he has recovered from the surgery.

“There is a surgery that will allow me to continue to play as soon as I am healed and cleared and I didn’t think twice about going with that one,” he said Saturday. “By no means am I ready to be done playing football, there is still so much more I want to accomplish on the field.”

Please join us in praying for Smith.

RELATED STORIES:
— Vikings QB Kirk Cousins after first playoff win: ‘Win or lose, God is still on the throne’
— Vikings WR Adam Thielen’s remarkable journey from undrafted to NFL stud
— N.Y. Giants’ Nate Solder trusts Lord’s guidance as he opts out of 2020 season
— Drew Brees, wife Brittany to donate another $5 million to aid Louisiana healthcare
— New England Patriots safety Devin McCourty sees God at work after wife’s stillbirth