New York Jets offensive lineman Cameron Clark is retiring at age 24 after suffering a spinal cord injury that sidelined him for the 2021 season, ESPN reported Feb. 2.
Mr. Clark suffered a spinal cord contusion in training camp Aug. 3. Although he is expected to recover, continuing to play puts him at risk of paralysis. The prognosis came from Andrew Hecht, MD, of New York City-based Mount Sinai.
"Based on the advice of Dr. Andrew Hecht … Cameron will not be able to continue to play football for the New York Jets," Mr. Clark's agent, Alan Herman, told ESPN.
Dr. Hecht is director of the NFL Spine Care Program for retired players and oversees the acute spinal injury program for the Jets. He's also one of two orthopaedic surgeons of the NFL Brain and Spine Committee.