By Mike White | Sunday, Aug. 23, 7:35 p.m.
Canon-McMillan’s Chad Hagan participated in the first week of preseason practice, minus any contact. He is waiting to be totally cleared by a cardiologist.
"I’m supposed to be cleared Thursday," Hagan said.
Hagan, a running back-defensive back who has committed to Ohio State, has Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, a heart disorder in which there is an extra electrical connection between the atria and the ventricles. People with the syndrome may have episodes of rapid heartbeat, which is what Hagan had.
But Wolff-Parkinson-White can be treated with medicine or a procedure. Hagan had a catheter ablation procedure done a few weeks ago and says he now feels fine.
"I’m pretty sure I’ll be cleared," Hagan said. "I feel a lot better. My heart doesn’t race any more. I feel fine. The cardiologist wanted to wait a month after [the catheter ablation] before he cleared me."
Hagan’s heart problem was discovered in April when he was set to have surgery for a stress fracture in his shin.
"I was going for surgery and all of a sudden they didn’t want to put me under because the nurse said I had an irregular heartbeat," Hagan said.
Tests revealed the heart problem.
"I’ve had it my whole life," Hagan said.
Hagan said he hasn’t told Ohio State about the problem because he didn’t think it was any different than an injury.
Hagan is one of two Division I recruits for Canon-McMillan. The other is running back-linebacker Mike Hull. Hagan rushed for 493 yards on 71 carries as a freshman, did not play football as a sophomore, but rushed for 622 yards on 87 carries last season.
Look for Hagan to be featured in our "Blue Chip Chat" series later this week.
Posted
Aug 23 2009, 07:37 PM
by
Mike White