Florida LB officially cleared to return to team activities

Florida linebacker Neiron Ball announced via his Facebook page that he was cleared to play football following a one-year absence brought on by burst blood vessel in his brain that required surgery.

“Got GREAT news today!!! I am CLEARED TO PLAY FOOTBALL AGAIN!” Ball wrote. “This is one of many God’s blessings… I am so thankful and excited. PRAISE GOD!”

At the time, the school had yet to officially concur with Ball’s statement. Three months later, however, they’ve done just that. The school released a statement today with the news.

“Neiron Ball has passed his final medical checkup and has been fully cleared to participate in football activities,” it read. Ball was diagnosed in Feb. 2011 with a hereditary congenital vascular condition, a non-football related medical issue.

Ball, a four-star member of UF’s 2010 recruiting class, played in 13 games as a true freshman before being sidelines all of last season.