Hunter Renfrow is back in the NFL after taking last season off, and now we have a better understanding of what happened.
Renfrow signed with the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and is aiming to start collecting stats in the NFL again. Renfrow was a two-time national champion at Clemson who later became a fifth-round pick by the Raiders in 2019. He played with the Raiders for five seasons, peaking in 2021 with 103 receptions for 1,038 yards and nine touchdowns, while earning Pro Bowl honors. But the 29-year-old took last season off.
On Thursday, Renfrow revealed that he took time off after being diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis (UC) is “a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in part of the digestive tract.” Symptoms can develop over time, and UC can lead to weakness in one’s body.
Renfrow dropped 50 pounds and was down to 150 pounds. He even had to make a few trips to the emergency room. Eventually he was able to get his weight back up to 200 pounds, and he even considered trying to sign with a team late last season, though he decided against it.
Renfrow said he dropped to 150 pounds from 185 and had to go to the ER a few times. By September he was up to 200 pounds. He thought about joining a team late last season. https://t.co/wbW7ysSKH9
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) May 1, 2025
Renfrow did say that having a year off was “awesome.”
New Panthers wide receiver Hunter Renfrow said it was "awesome'' not playing football last season. He got to reset, spend time with two daughters. "I learned a lot and got to work with an incredible group of guys,'' said Renfrow, whose pause in football had to do with a diagnosis…
— David Newton (@DNewtonespn) May 1, 2025
Renfrow’s new team the Panthers went 5-12 last season. They sure could use receiving help as last year’s squad was led by Adam Thielen, who had 48 catches for 615 yards and 5 touchdowns.
