One of Patrick Mahomes’ key Kansas City Chiefs teammates has opened up about a life-threatening health scare that nearly ended his NFL career before it even began.
The incident came during his college years, long before he became a crucial part of the Chiefs’ success.
It also highlights how close his journey came to taking a completely different path.
Trey Smith’s blood clot diagnosis nearly ended his NFL career
Smith recalled on the In Good Company podcast that he realised something was seriously wrong before doctors diagnosed him with blood clots in both lungs.
“I can’t stand up straight. I can barely catch my breath. I’m like ‘Damn. Am I that out of shape? What is going on?’ … I lost 13 pounds in a day. I feel horrible. I remember getting that call,” Smith said.
He added: “The team doctor was like, ‘Hey, man. Wherever you are at, stay right there. We’re going to rush you to the hospital.’”
The diagnosis confirmed blood clots in both lungs, a condition that could have ended his career before it reached the professional level.
After treatment and recovery, Smith was eventually cleared, allowing the Chiefs to select him in the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Trey Smith reflects on fatal blood clot scare
Trey Smith later reflected on how serious the situation was, admitting he did not immediately grasp the full danger.
“They can be fatal… good that we caught them when we caught them. I just remember thinking at the time, almost ignorantly, like ‘Will I still be able to play football? Like, what’s my timeline for getting back?'” Smith concluded.
The comment underlines how his focus remained on football, even while facing a potentially life-threatening condition.
His eventual recovery allowed him to resume his career, where he has since become an important part of Kansas City’s offensive line.
What could have been the end of his journey instead became the starting point for his NFL success.
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