New England Patriots rookie tight end Eli Raridon and his wife, Anna, announced Tuesday that they have lost their first child. During a routine 20-week checkup, doctors diagnosed their son with anencephaly — a fatal birth defect in which the fetal brain and skull fail to develop properly, a condition the Cleveland Clinic says often leads to miscarriage. In an Instagram post, Anna said they are devastated but grateful for the nine months she carried their baby, that he was loved and kept safe, and that his brief life still mattered and will remain part of their family’s story. The couple married last May.
Raridon was selected in the third round of this year’s NFL Draft out of Notre Dame. So far this season he has two catches for 32 yards and a 2-yard touchdown scored in the opener against the Seattle Seahawks; he missed last week’s game at Jacksonville with a thigh injury. The Patriots sit 1-2 and will play the Buffalo Bills in New York on Sunday.
Fan Take: This is a painful reminder that players and coaches face personal hardships off the field, and showing compassion for Raridon and his wife matters to the fan base. Practically, Raridon’s availability and the team’s depth at tight end could be factors to watch in the Patriots’ upcoming game plans.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
