When Nick Fairley was forced to stop playing football due to a heart condition, it was widely assumed he was done for good. However, while speaking to media Wednesday, New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton wouldn’t rule out the possibility of the defensive tackle returning to the game he loves at some point.
Payton on if Nick Fairley will ever play again: Won't say never, but team has prepared for him not to play this year. Focus is his health.
— Josh Katzenstein (@jkatzenstein) July 26, 2017
Interestingly, it was reported that the Saints have been working on trying to recoup some of the money they guaranteed Fairley when he inked a brand new four-year deal this offseason. It was a deal he really did earn after putting up a very good season in New Orleans last year, racking up 43 tackles and 6.5 sacks.
Fairley’s heart condition was known at the time he signed the deal. It’s been known since before he ever began his professional career, in fact. However, he was told by at least one doctor that he should never play again after the condition became an issue that suddenly threatened his season.