Former Georgia Bulldog has successful open-heart surgery
"I owe everything to the Lord for watching over me and to my incredible doctors here at the Cleveland Clinic. I would also like to thank everyone who has reached out and prayed for me," Spurlin wrote. "To my family — I love you all so much. I am deeply grateful to have been able to get my heart fixed, knowing that there are people out there fighting the same battle who aren't able to do anything about it."
Spurlin was a former four-star tight end from South Walton High School, ranked as the No. 5 tight end in the nation. He was from the class of 2023, but he committed to play for Georgia on Sept. 30, 2020.
As a freshman in 2023, he played as a reserve tight end, catching three passes for 60 yards, including a 31-yarder against Florida State in the Orange Bowl. Unfortunately, he was forced to medically retire due to his heart condition in March 2024.
Even after his retirement, Kirby Smart and Georgia are keeping him on scholarship.
"We care deeply for Pearce and he will remain on scholarship and part of our program," Kirby Smart said in a statement. "Our tight ends coach Todd Hartley and our other tight ends hate for a person and a player like Pearce to not be a part of their room, and they will continue to provide him with the support he needs as he goes through this transition."
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