Randy Russell dreamed of playing in The Swamp when he signed with Florida in December. Like other members of the school’s recruiting class, he wanted to emerge from the tunnel with thousands of fans doing the Gator chomp. That dream ended Thursday.
Russell was diagnosed with a heart condition, the team announced, and won’t be able to play football again. The abnormality was discovered during a pre-participation physical.
“As tragic as this is for Randy and his family to hear this news, this discovery is life-saving for him,” Florida coach Dan Mullen wrote in a statement. “We will be fully supportive in any way we can for Randy and his family.