Minnesota WR has successful surgery to remove brain tumor
A concussion turned out to be a blessing for Minnesota wide receiver Jeff Borchardt.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Borchardt suffered a concussion after a hard landing while making a catch during a March practice. He was given a CT-Scan to assess the damage. And while no further damage consistent with a head injury was found, doctors saw something more concerning: a tumor.
From the Star-Tribune:
He was given a CT-Scan at the hospital and cleared for any of the usual concerns with a head injury – no skull fracture, no internal bleeding.
The doctors, however, did see one abnormality that had them concerned. They ordered a dye-induced MRI. Later that same night, the family received the news. Borchardt, 20, had a brain tumor.
A few months later, Borchardt had surgery to remove the tumor at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., earlier this week. Borchardt’s father, Jeff Sr., told the Star that the surgery was successful but that the family is still waiting for the results of a pathology report.
Nonetheless, Borchardt already has his sights set on a return to football in 2016.
“I truly think Jeffrey’s looking at this as just a hiccup in the road,” said Jeff Sr. “He’ll be back stronger than ever.”
Borchardt, a native of Medina, Minn., played in three games as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Gophers head coach Jerry Kill called him one of the team’s most-improved players during spring practice.
For more Minnesota news, GopherIllustrated.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
