photo courtesy of CNN
The Denver Broncos revealed they will waive wide receiver K.J Hamler under a non-football illness designation. According to the NFL on July 31, the decision was due to Hamler admitting that he was diagnosed with a heart condition on Instagram.
He posted on his social media yesterday that he was diagnosed with pericarditis. He explained that after feeling chest pains during practice, he was prompted to get checked out.
“After feeling some chest pains while working out on the break before camp started, I got everything checked out and was diagnosed with mild heart irritation, called pericarditis. I’ve got a great treatment plan with medicine and am taking a quick break to get this all taken care of so I can get back to doing what I love.”
The Broncos player promised his supporters that he would be getting back onto the football field with his team during the season. Hamler continued to write,
“I will be back on the field — better and stronger than ever — as soon as possible this season! I feel great physically, and this is very frustrating for me to deal with. I know most of you have heard or know of my story and these past few years what I’ve been going through on and off the field.”“I’ll get past this just like everything else on this journey! I will continue to elevate. I forever stand on business.”
Again Hamler told online users that he wasn’t saying goodbye to football but instead taking some time to take care of his health. He said, “This is not a farewell, this is not a goodbye, this is a see you soon as I take a break for my health. I’m so grateful for my teammates & coaches. Appreciate the support from the Broncos Country and encouragement I have been receiving.”
He left his supporters with one more piece of advice for their chest health. He finished, “This is something to bring awareness to anybody. So anyone with chest pains, please get checked out by your doctor!”
Hamler, indeed, is no stranger to adversity and injury. After being drafted out of Penn State in 2020 by the Broncos, he tore his ACL the following year and suffered a hamstring injury the next season. Most recently, Hamler partially tore his pectoral muscle while training at the beginning of the 2023 season.
In the 23 games he’s played in his NFL career, the receiver has racked up 620 yards over 42 successful catches and three touchdowns.