Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz revealed on Thursday morning that D.J. Jones, a freshman offensive lineman, had a heart transplant on Wednesday night and is recuperating following a successful procedure.
According to Drinkwitz, who first discussed D.J. Jones’ condition in public on Tuesday, he had been admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, while he awaited the availability of a heart for a transplant.
The Kansas City Star reported that Drinkwitz stated during the SEC coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday that Jones was suffering from heart failure and had been put on ECMO, a type of temporary life support that circulates and oxygenates blood outside the body while waiting for a donor heart.
The heart condition was discovered this summer
The 18-year-old Jones, a highly recruited lineman out of Venice High School in Bradenton, Florida, was diagnosed with the heart condition during the summer after starting to practice with the Tigers and undergoing testing at the school.
Missouri’s medical staff initially identified the condition during the program’s freshman intake. They observed Jones for two weeks before seeking a second opinion when they didn’t see the desired “resolution.” After sending Jones to the Mayo Clinic, medical professionals found what Drinkwitz called “a much more significant issue.”
When Eli Drinkwitz talked about Jones’ illness in public for the first time on Tuesday, he became very emotional. He asked Tigers supporters to offer prayers for the rookie after learning last week that Jones was on the transplant list.
“It’s just hard. [He’s] an 18-year-old with everything in front of him,” Drinkwitz said. “And you’re just not prepared for that kind of news. Our team wasn’t prepared for that kind of news.”
He added, “We’re praying for him, and I know a lot of Mizzou fans will hopefully join in that prayer because he does need help in a hurry.”
Eli Drinkwitz revealed that D.J. Jones had gotten a new heart
“I have a great update to share on D.J.,” Eli Drinkwitz wrote Thursday in a post on social media. “Last night, D.J. received his heart transplant, and his surgery went well. He is now recovering.
“We are incredibly grateful for the medical team who cared for DJ and for the donor and donor family whose extraordinary gift made this possible.
“Please continue to keep DJ, his family, the donor family, and his caregivers in your prayers as he begins the recovery process.”