After suffering a health scare that resulted from COVID-19, IU freshman offensive lineman Brady Feeney has returned as a full participant at practice.
Feeney became part of the national conversation in early August when his mother shared his health challenges in a viral Facebook post.
According to his mother, Feeney dealt with heart and breathing issues after contracting the virus in Bloomington in July.
Many in the media pointed to Feeney’s possible heart issues as a reason why college football should be canceled. According to an ESPN report, the news of Feeney’s complications signaled the alarms regarding possible heart concerns at the conference and university leadership levels.
The Big Ten announced the postponement of the 2020 season just days after the viral Facebook post.
Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren cited concerns about a heart condition known as myocarditis as one of the reasons why the league initially postponed the season.
“There is simply too much we do not know about the virus, recovery from infection, and longer-term effects,” Warren said in August. “While the data on cardiomyopathy is preliminary and incomplete, the uncertain risk was unacceptable at this time.”
On Thursday, Indiana offensive line coach Darren Hiller indicated on a Zoom conference with the media that Feeney is back with the team and a full participant at practice. Feeney was seen back with the team in photos very soon after the Facebook post.
Feeney came to IU from Christian Brothers High School in St. Louis. The 6-foot-4 and 325 pound Feeney originally committed to Rice before flipping to Indiana in July 2019.
Hiller praised Feeney’s early performance at practice, comparing him to former IU star and current Washington Football Team guard Wes Martin.
“He is not there yet, don’t get it wrong, but he reminds me body wise of a Wes Martin type of build. He’s a very powerful guy,” Hiller said.
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