WWE Superstar Omos Reveals Medical Condition That Nearly Killed Him
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
WWE star Omos, renowned for his towering 7'3" presence, recently shared the story of a life-altering medical condition that was discovered by chance during his college years. He credits the diagnosis with saving his life.
In a revealing interview on Insight With Chris Van Vliet, Omos detailed his journey from assuming his rapid growth was normal to facing a critical health crisis. Omos explained his incredible size was never just simple genetics.
He recalled being six feet tall by age 11 and shooting up to 6'7" by 13, which he initially thought was just a significant growth spurt. It wasn't until he was playing college basketball in the United States that a doctor's keen observation led to an urgent intervention.
Omos recounted the doctor, Dr. Vesely, contacting the university president: "He goes, 'Hey, my name is Dr. Vesely. I saw one of your players, Jordan Omogbehin. By the size of his hands, the size of his jaw, and facial features, I think he might have acromegaly. You need to check him as soon as possible.'"
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Though Omos initially thought it might be a joke, the warning proved gravely serious. An MRI revealed devastating news. "They pull out the MRI and say, 'You have a pituitary tumor. If you don't take it out, either you're going to go blind, or you're going to have a heart attack.'
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: (L-R) Brock Lesnar wrestles Omos during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 02: (L-R) Brock Lesnar wrestles Omos during WrestleMania Goes Hollywood at SoFi Stadium on April 02, 2023 in Inglewood, California.Because my body was producing so much growth hormone, it was enlarging my heart. They said, 'We need to get this fixed now,'" Omos shared. He learned he had an unprecedented combination of rare conditions.
"It's kind of similar to what Andre the Giant had. It's called acromegaly. Big Show has it as well," Omos explained. "But mine is kind of unique because I have acromegaly, I also have gigantism, and I have partial Cushing's disease. It was the first time in endocrine history that a patient had all three." His case was so unique it was documented in a medical journal.
Even today, Omos requires ongoing medical management. "I have to be on meds to stop me from growing, because I still grow. I don't grow this way anymore [taller], but I still grow sideways... So I take medication to stop my body from using the growth hormones so I don't get any bigger." Despite these lifelong challenges, he reports feeling well.
"I'm pain-free. I feel great," Omos stated, before underscoring the gravity of the early diagnosis: "But if the doctor hadn't caught it when he did—I would've been dead." He gives full credit to the observant physician: "Shout out to Dr. Vesely. He pretty much saved my life."
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