Garrett Scott was celebrating his graduation from Marshall with his family when he got the news he would be playing in the NFL as a Seattle Seahawk.
The NFL celebration was a short-lived one as the team released him less than two weeks later. The offensive tackled failed to pass his physical due to a rare heart condition.
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"After undergoing an extensive physical with our medical staff last week, Garrett's examination revealed a rare heart condition that will prevent him from any on-field participation in the near future," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said in a statement. "We think highly of Garrett as a person and as a football player. The team is committed to supporting Garrett in the months to come and will continue to help him determine his next steps."
Schneider's statement isn't all fluff and public relations pomp. The Seahawks knew about the failed physical and heart condition, but signed Scott to his rookie contract anyway before waiving him with the "non-football illness" distinction, according to The Seattle Times.
It allows the 22-year-old to receive his signing bonus and first-year salary.
... plan is that he will revert to injured reserve, allowing him to keep first-year salary. Roughly about $550,000 total or so.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 23, 2014Scott started 35 of 41 games played for Marshall and was voted to the All-Conference USA second-team this past season. The heart issue hadn't come up in any previous physicals.