Star Tight End's Son Finally Comes Home

Greg Olsen and his wife Kara brought their son T.J. son from the hospital Tuesday, a month after T.J. was born with a congenital heart defect, the Charlotte Observer reported.

“Today is a day we have been looking forward to for the past 10 months. To have all our children home together is an amazing feeling,” Olsen said in a text message to the Observer. “T.J. is doing great and we look forward to enjoying our time as a family for the next few months until the next big hurdle. Thanks to everyone for all their continued support and prayers.”

Olsen plays tight end for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. He is the son of Wayne Hills football coach Chris Olsen.

T.J. spent the first month of his life in the hospital after he underwent successful surgery only days after being born to correct a rare condition known as hypoplastic left heart syndrome, which is characterized by a underdeveloped left ventricle and aorta. He was diagnosed with the condition in utero. About one to four babies out of 1,000 are diagnosed with the defect.

T.J. will undergo two more surgeries his first three years of life.

The next surgery will be performed within the next three to five months, the Charlotte Observer reported.

Olsen posted on Twitter how excited he and his family were to bring T.J. home to meet Olsen’s 17-month-old son Tate. T.J.’s twin sister Talbot was brought home last month.

“Heading home! The day we have waited for is here,” Olsen Twitter post read.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.