Georgia State quarterback Mikele Colasurdo will not play this season after the freshman quarterback revealed he has a heart condition related to COVID-19. Colasurdo made the announcement on social media Thursday.
Colasurdo posted: “Today I was diagnosed with a heart condition as a result of my Covid-19 infection. Unfortunately, this means that I will not be able to play this football season. I am thankful for everyone who has reached out and prayed for me. I am also incredibly thankful for coach (Shawn) Elliott and trainer Bob (Murphy) for providing a safe environment for us to train and practice. Ultimately it was the procedures and tests set forth by GSU that allowed the doctors to find this condition in my heart and help keep me safe. I am very thankful. I can’t wait to watch my team compete this fall and I could not be more excited to return for the 2021 season. Go Panthers.”
Colasurdo, a prize signee who was Mr. Football in South Carolina last season, was to compete for the starting position to replace Dan Ellington. He was competing with holdovers Cornelious Brown and Kierston Harvey and Jamil Muhammad, a transfer from Vanderbilt.
Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Credit: Georgia State Athletics
Georgia State officials said they could not comment on an individual athlete’s health in providing this statement: “Georgia State Athletics works with its medical partners to provide the best possible care to its student-athletes. The GSU medical staff regularly reviews the latest information and recommendations about SARS-CoV-2 infection in athletes, including information about cardiac concerns, and implements all relevant evaluation and treatment protocols.
“We believe these protocols are what will keep us safe this season.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported last week that myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, is one form of associated cardiac injury that can be linked to COVID-19.
The rare heart condition usually occurs because of a viral infection. It was found in at least five Big Ten athletes, according to a recent report by ESPN.
Last week, in an article published by the AJC, Dr. Jonathan Kim, the chief of sports cardiology at Emory University, further explained the details of myocarditis. Kim also is an assistant professor of cardiology at Emory University School of Medicine and a member of the ACC Sports and Exercise Council. In looking at hospitalized patients with COVID-19, a high degree of associated cardiac injury was found, roughly around 20%, according to Kim, whether that entails myocarditis, worsened heart function, arrhythmia or other issues.
“Maybe around 1 percent of the time you’ll see this kind of cardiac injury (resulting from other viral infections), but with COVID-19, a much higher degree,” Kim said.
Kim said there is limited data involving myocarditis and COVID-19 athletes.
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