The future of NIU star tailback Thomas Hammock’s football career is in high doubt after a reported cardiac condition kept him out of Saturday’s South Florida loss.

According to NIU head athletic trainer Phil Voorhis, it started when Hammock had chest pains early last week. He then reportedly had several checkups with the negative prognosis and is waiting for a more defined medical opinion that will come Thursday.

As reported in other publications, a buildup of fatty tissue around his heart has been denied by Voorhis. A defined name for the condition would not be released.

“He was disappointed, but football is a game and life is much more important,” Voorhis said. “We just need to get to the bottom of the condition and find the next appropriate medical step.”

A senior two-time all-MAC performer, Hammock had a physical checkup last season that was fine, said Voorhis.

If his season and career are indeed over, Hammock would be cutting a career short that saw him rush for 1,000 yards two years in a row after helping NIU to a share of the MAC West Division Co-Championship last year. He also is working to become a three-time academic All-American this year.

Hammock declined to comment for this article.

A Fort Wayne, Ind., native, the 5-foot-8, 209-pound Doak Walker National Running Back Award candidate will be able to live a normal life outside of playing football, added Voorhis.

“I’m very concerned,” said Scherry Hammock, Thomas’ mother. “[If football is over] that’s fine. My son is more important than football. I’m just hoping for his well being to be OK.”