The Miami Hurricanes are grieving the team’s loss of junior cornerback Al Blades Jr. for the season after his Tuesday evening announcement of a myocarditis diagnosis — both because he’s someone that means a lot to the team and how thin UM now looks at cornerback.
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart and a potential complication from COVID-19. Miami coach Manny Diaz and players reacted to Tuesday’s shocking news after Wednesday’s practice.
“We’re just trying to support Al. Obviously, you feel for him because of how much it means for him to be a Miami Hurricane and to be with our team,” Diaz said of Blades, who is the son of the late former Miami safety by the same name and nephew of UM legends Bennie and Brian Blades.