Heart condition ends Hill’s football career

August 6, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

Former Hubbard star to stay at Pitt

Former Hubbard running back George Hill’s college football career is over before he played a single snap.

The Pitt signee was found to have a pre-existing heart condition during a preseason exam. Hill was to have opened camp with the Panthers on Monday.

Through former Eagles teammate Cameron Ingram, Hill declined comment.

Pitt’s athletic department announced that Hill and four other players couldn’t participate in camp for medical reasons on Friday, but the news has spread through Hubbard well before that. Ingram said Hill was told about his condition two weeks ago.

“He was devastated at first, but he’s doing well now,” Ingram said. “He’s changing his goals. He’s going into [sports medicine] and focusing on being a student now.”

Hill was a standout football player and sprinter at Hubbard. Hill ran for 1,006 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season and as a junior, was part of the “thunder and lightning” tailback tandem with Michigan State’s L.J. Scott.

This spring, Hill finished third in the 100-meter dash at the state track meet.

Hill arrived at Pitt as a four-star recruit, according to Rivals.com, ranking 12th at his position and 221st in his class. He was expected to be primarily a defensive back at Pitt.

He initially was committed to Ohio State last October, but switched to Pitt in January. Pitt is coached by Ursuline graduate Pat Narduzzi. He’ll keep his Pitt scholarship as a permanent medical exception. Ingram said Hill still attends practices and wants to be involved with the team.

Hubbard athletic director Chuck Montgomery has been involved in high school athletics since 1972 and said he couldn’t recall having to deal with a situation like Hill’s.

“It’s shocking for everyone,” Montgomery said. “We made plans to see him play this fall —I couldn’t wait to go— it’s tough to swallow.

“It’s good they caught this early,” Montgomery added. “It would have been terrible if he played and then collapsed on the field.”

For Ingram, the news made him put his own football career in perspective.

“It makes me want to go harder,” Ingram said. “He’s my brother and I’ll play every down for him.”