Hunter Renfrow Reveals Ulcerative Colitis Battle That Led to NFL Hiatus
After battling a severe health scare that saw his weight drop to 150 pounds, Hunter Renfrow is making a comeback with the Carolina Panthers.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Veteran wide receiver Hunter Renfrow opened up Thursday about the debilitating health struggle that sidelined him from the NFL, revealing that ulcerative colitis was the root cause of his physical decline over the past two seasons.
Severe Symptoms and a Steep Decline
Once a Pro Bowl standout with the Las Vegas Raiders, Renfrow said he began feeling “weird” after the 2021 season, not realizing at the time that he was dealing with an undiagnosed autoimmune condition. By the 2022 training camp, he described himself as feeling “as bad as I could.”
Despite signing a two-year, $32 million extension with the Raiders, Renfrow’s production plummeted. He managed only 36 catches for 330 yards and two touchdowns in 2022, followed by 25 catches for 255 yards and no scores in 2023.
Ulcerative Colitis Diagnosis and ER Visits
Renfrow was eventually diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that causes painful inflammation and ulcers in the digestive tract. At his worst, he lost 35 pounds, endured seven straight days of 103-degree fevers, and made multiple emergency room visits.
“I felt so bad those two years… I just wanted to go into my corner and be done with football,” Renfrow admitted. “I felt like I let my teammates down.”
Road to Recovery
By mid-2023, things started to improve. After undergoing tibial infusions, Renfrow’s health rebounded. His weight returned to 185 pounds, and for the first time in years, he was able to eat normally again.
“I hadn’t been able to eat for three years, and now I was eating everything under the sun,” he said.
Inspired Comeback with Hometown Team
Renfrow said the turning point came while watching high school football games, rekindling his passion for the sport. He began training seriously again in January, working with staff at Clemson—where he famously caught the game-winning touchdown in the 2016 national championship against Alabama.
On Sunday, Renfrow signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, the team he rooted for growing up in Myrtle Beach. “Now I’m here. And I’m excited about playing football again,” he said.
Adding Veteran Depth to Panthers’ WR Room
Renfrow joins a revamped Panthers wide receiver unit that includes 2025 first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan, 2024 pick Xavier Legette, and veterans like Adam Thielen. He’s also eager to build chemistry with young quarterback Bryce Young.
“If I’m going to go out, I want to go out a different way,” Renfrow said, reflecting on his return. “I just want to have fun playing this game again.”
