“It’s My Fault”: Suffering From Kidney Disease, Alonzo Mourning Regrets Life-Altering Decisions During NBA Career

Miami Heat legend Alonzo Mourning’s NBA career turned upside down after he witnessed sudden physical changes in his body. The concerning part was that this was during the peak of his career. He was diagnosed with a kidney disease that shortly put an end to his 16-year journey in the NBA. The biggest question is, what triggered this kidney issue for Mourning? In his interview with former basketball veterans Matt Barnes and Stephen Jackson, Mourning revealed one of his habits during the NBA which triggered his kidney disease. 

The usage of painkillers is very common in the NBA. However, for severe injuries, the dosage and the type of medication changes. Injections like Toradol are used to reduce pain and swelling. However, these are not the cure. It’s a temporary solution. Moreover, frequent usage of painkillers like these can have side effects, which was the case for Mourning.

Matt Barnes questioned the Heat icon, “You had kidney issues and would you say some of that was due to the medicine you were taking to be on the court?”. Without hesitation, Mourning replied, “By far“. He added, “First of all it’s my fault cause I chose to put it in my body. Painkillers were introduced to me by team trainers, and I used them to play. I wanted to go out there, play and compete.  I had my fair share of injuries and I had five knee surgeries.”

These above words are not just Mourning’s regret. It’s a warning to the players of the younger generation. He shared in the end, “It’s important to educate young people now on alternative ways of healing“. The 2006 champion shared a few methods to improve health without taking painkillers. It included practicing yoga, eating plant-based food, working out five teams a week, and stopping dairy products. 

What is the kidney disease that Mourning suffered from? 

In 2000, coming off the Olympics, Mourning found out that he was diagnosed with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) which put a halt to his career. The player experienced swelling in his leg and left lethargic often, later to find abnormalities in his kidney. With that, the center was said to sit out the remainder of the season, playing for the Heat. But he did return closer to the end of the campaign, only to completely miss out on 2002-03 due to the persisting issue. He even announced his retirement from the sport but fate had different plans.

In 2003, Mourning received a kidney transplant from his cousin, which helped him get back on the court. However, after facing quite a few hurdles upon returning; initially with the Nets and then the Heat, he retired in 2008, to put an end to his 16-year journey. 

Mourning shared how he felt the moment he got to know about the diagnosis. He shared in an interview from last month, “When I first learned of my diagnosis in 2000, I was terrified, mostly because I knew nothing about this disease or what might happen to me. I was also frustrated with myself for ignoring the symptoms at first.” Although the kidney disease took a hit at his career, Mourning managed to bounce back, and he is back in shape right now.