Nick Fairley may have a career-threatening heart condition, Lions teammates reach out

It has been two years since Nick Fairley was a member for the Detroit Lions, but several of his teammates have not forgotten him.

Over the weekend, it was revealed that Fairley has been absent from New Orleans Saints organized team activities because of a health issue. According to Fox Sports’ Jennifer Hale, Fairley is dealing with a heart anomaly that “could jeopardize future of his career.”

According Mike Garafolo of NFL.com, Fairley has been unreachable, as his current teammates have been trying to contact him.

Just a few months ago, Fairley signed a huge four-year, $28 million contract with the Saints, after completing the most successful season of his career. For the first time in his career, he started all 16 games and put up career highs in sacks (6.5) and tackles (43). His 6.5 sacks was the fifth-most of all defensive tackles in NFL.

Per ESPN, Fairley’s heart condition has been known since it was detected as part of the pre-draft physical examinations in 2011. It is unclear what has changed since then.

Several Detroit Lions players, past and present, took to Twitter on Saturday to wish the best for Fairley.

We wish Nick Fairley and his family the best and hope to see him out there living a healthy and long life.