STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — Penn State operating again Journey Brown says he has a coronary heart situation that’s forcing him to surrender soccer.

Brown posted Wednesday evening on Twitter that he has hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a illness that causes coronary heart muscle to turn out to be abnormally thick and may make it harder to pump blood.

Penn State coach James Franklin advised reporters Brown’s situation was not COVID-19 associated, however it was found in September throughout “a routine COVID take a look at.”

“It’s heartbreaking,” Franklin advised reporters.

Neither Penn State nor Brown have indicated whether or not he examined constructive for COVID-19, however the Massive Ten requires cardiac screening and testing of these athletes who do earlier than they will return to competitors.

Brown was Penn State’s main rusher in 2019 and was anticipated to be probably the greatest backs within the nation in 2020. He ended final season with a profession sport, operating for 202 yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries in a victory over Memphis within the Cotton Bowl.

Simply days earlier than the Massive Ten began its abbreviated and delayed season final month, Penn State introduced Brown wouldn’t be out there to play due to a medical situation — although there was hope he would possibly return.

“The ache of not with the ability to play the sport I like hurts and I can not clarify how I am feeling proper now,” Brown wrote on social media. “Nonetheless, I can stroll away from the sport realizing I actually gave my all at each follow, on each down and within the locker room on a regular basis.”

Penn State is off to an 0-Three begin and heading to Nebraska on Saturday.