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Tennessee DL Paul Bain on the return of Trey Smith’s blood clot: ‘That really hurts my heart’
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
It’s doubtful that one would be able to get any of the Tennessee players to speak ill-will about their emotional leader and sophomore offensive lineman Trey Smith. So when the team revealed last week that blood clots have returned to Smith’s lungs, his teammates were obviously shaken.
But without a doubt, they are supporting him in his fight to overcome his health issues.
“That (his diagnosis) really hurt my heart a little bit,” senior defensive lineman Paul Bain said this week according to Rocky Top Insider. “When I heard the news, first thing I did was I prayed. I prayed for him, I prayed for his family. Second thing I did, I immediately called him, let him know I loved him, let him know he’s in my prayers, and I pray every day for him.
“I pray every day because hearing things like that really gets to me because I know how passionate he is. Trey and I have a really close bond, and he knows how passionate I am.”
The support extends to the coaching staff.
“The most important thing is for Trey to be able to get healthy,” Pruitt said in a press release. “He has been an outstanding student-athlete during my time here on and off the field. Our sole focus for Trey is on his recovery. We are thankful that our medical staff discovered this and is getting him the proper treatment.”
Doctors first discovered blood clots in Smith’s lungs in February. Following six months of constant treatment, he returned to the field in August and began doing contract drills right before the season opener.
While Smith has started at left tackle every game this year, that streak will end Saturday against South Carolina. He expects to fully recover, but Smith will be sidelined indefinitely.
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
