National Football League

Report: Ex-USC star has hole in heart

Published Mar. 7, 2012 12:00 a.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Former University of Southern California defensive tackle DaJohn Harris said Wednesday that he had been prevented from performing at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis last month because doctors found a hole in his heart.

The 23-year-old NFL prospect said doctors had found the patent foramen ovale during a medical examination in Indianapolis, the Los Angeles Times reported. The condition, where a hole in the heart fails to close after birth, affects roughly 25 percent of the general population — with some research suggesting it may increase the likelihood of having a stroke.

Harris worked out at USC's pro day on Wednesday and told reporters that since the diagnosis, he had been cleared by medical experts to continue playing football.

"I hope to be a mid-round — second to fourth — pick [in the draft]," Harris said. "I hope I showed that to the guys."

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League