NFL star announces retirement after sudden blood clot

NFL player Billy Price abruptly announced his retirement from football this week after a blood clot was found in his lungs last month.

‘No further explanation’ for blood clot

The 29-year-old offensive lineman said he is “lucky to be alive” in the Instagram post where he made the announcement. Price added that the pulmonary embolism was “unprovoked” and had “no further medical explanation.”

“In the blink of an eye, everything can be taken away,” he wrote. “On April 24th I had emergency pulmonary embolism surgery to remove a saddle clot that was entering both of my lungs. As a healthy 29 year old, an unprovoked pulmonary embolism with no further medical explanation is terrifying. I am truly thankful to be alive today. Unfortunately, I will be retiring from the NFL as the risk of an internal bleed while on blood thinners creates tremendous risk.”

“I am truly thankful for the opportunity to have played in some of the greatest atmospheres around the world,” he concluded. “I am thankful to have trained and played alongside men who will continue to make Pro Bowls, All Pro Rosters and Hall of Fame recognitions.”

Is the COVID-19 vaccine responsible for blood clots?

Vaccine activists in the science industry have been blaming the recent rise in blood clots on several possible causes, including stress from “vaccine misinformation."

However, a 2022 study published in the Vaccines journal sounded the alarm over blood clots caused by the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.  

The study conducted a retrospective analysis of data harvested from VigiBase, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) drug safety database. It found that of 1,154,023 adverse events reported for the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines, 756 (0.07%) were for cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), a blood clot that forms in the brain and is accompanied by headaches, stroke-related symptoms, and seizures.  

“Our study demonstrated a potential safety signal for occurrence of CVT for COVID-19 mRNA vaccination,” the study concluded. “It is necessary to be aware of the risk of CVT occurrence, even after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination.”  

Pfizer observed blood clots in trials

Oddly, Pfizer came up with an even larger percentage figure in 2021 but reached a different conclusion.  

In its Cumulative Analysis of Post-Authorization Adverse Events Reports, Pfizer analyzes 42,086 adverse events from the COVID vaccine up to February 28, 2021. Of those events, Pfizer reports 300 cases of cerebrovascular venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST), which is 0.71% of the total number of cases.  

Of the 300 CVST cases, Pfizer's report records 61 fatalities, 61 resolved/resolving, 10 resolved with sequelae — where the illness leaves behind a lasting condition, 85 unresolved and 83 unknown.  

But Pfizer’s verdict was the opposite of the study’s authors.  

“Conclusion: This cumulative case review does not raise new safety issues. Surveillance will continue.”