Jon Dorenbos may owe his life to trade
Former Philadelphia Eagles long snapper Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm found during his physical with the New Orleans Saints, who acquired him for a 2019 seventh-round draft pick.
PHILADELPHIA » Former Eagles long snapper Jon Dorenbos is one successful open heart surgery away from pulling off a death-defying feat.
The 37-year-old Dorenbos was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm found during his physical with the Saints, who acquired him for a 2019 seventh-round draft pick. Had he not been dealt, the life-threatening condition might have gone untreated, some of his teammates felt.
“Obviously he wanted to be here,” Eagles special teams captain Chris Maragos said Friday. “But the situation he’s in, it could be a blessing in disguise. It could have saved his life, possibly.”
Maragos said he texted Dorenbos, and hopes to speak with him after the procedure.
“I don’t know the extent of everything but I heard he’s going to be OK,” Maragos said. “I just wish him the best right now.”
The Saints obviously are sensitive to heart issues, having discovered an enlarged heart in defensive tackle Nick Fairley, who will sit out this season. Saints head coach Sean Payton anticipates the trade for Dorenbos being voided because the heart issue was a preexisting condition.
Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie issued a statement saying “Jon Dorenbos is like family to me and to the Eagles. We are concerned for Jon first and foremost. Our thoughts are with him and his wife. At this time, we are all waiting to learn more about his situation.”
During the 2011 season the Eagles traded running back Ronnie Brown to the Lions for running back Jerome Harrison and a 2013 seventh-round pick. The deal was voided when Harrison was diagnosed with a brain tumor by the Eagles, one requiring emergency surgery. Harrison, who was 29, didn’t play again.
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