Former Penn State star K.J. Hamler announces break due to 'mild heart irritation'
Ahead of the 2023 NFL season, former Penn State receiver K.J. Hamler is again experiencing a health setback. Following issues with a torn ACL and a pulled hamstring the past two seasons, the Nittany Lion said Monday afternoon that he’s dealing with pericarditis and would be stepping away from football temporarily.
From a lengthy Instagram post:
“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,” Hamler wrote. “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.”
In conjunction with the revelation, the Denver Broncos will reportedly waive Hamler with a non-football illness designation.
K.J. Hamler medical setbacks pre- and post-Penn State
The news comes as a particularly brutal blow to Hamler, who has admittedly been frustrated by injuries in recent seasons. Already coming off a torn ACL from his high school career upon his arrival to Penn State in 2017, Hamler’s setbacks again resurfaced upon the start of his NFL journey.
Picked by the Denver Broncos with the No. 46 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Hamler quickly produced. He finished with 381 yards and three touchdowns over 30 catches in his debut in 2020.
The trajectory quickly faded, however, as Hamler suffered a torn ACL in the third week of the season. The injury ended his follow-up campaign seemingly as soon as it’d started.
Bouncing back to again play in 2022, Hamler notched seven catches for 165 yards but played in just seven games while continuing to deal with hamstring issues. He was then shut down for the season on Dec. 3, but by March, more injury befell Hamler as he suffered a torn pectoral muscle during offseason training.
“It’s tough to deal with this when I was ready for a breakout year, but adversity is nothing new to me. I have been through hell and back, but it’s hard to reach paradise if you don’t go through hell first,” Hamler wrote on Instagram. “I’ll get past this just like everything else on this journey! I will continue to elevate. I forever stand on business.”
Next steps
According to the former Penn State star, he’ll soon be back in action. Describing the setback as “a break” for his health, he didn’t set a timeline for a return.
However, he concluded his announcement urging awareness for those also dealing with chest pains.
“I’m so grateful for my teammates & coaches. Appreciate the support from the Broncos Country and encouragement I have been receiving,” Hamler wrote. “This is something to bring awareness to anybody. So anyone with chest pains please get checked out by your doctor!”
