Making a Triumphant Return: Dontay Corleone Cleared to Play for Cincinnati Bearcats
CINCINNATI — In an exciting announcement on Tuesday, the Cincinnati Bearcats revealed that defensive tackle Dontay Corleone, affectionately known as “The Godfather,” has been cleared to participate in games. The redshirt junior and former All-American had faced setbacks this summer when blood clots were discovered in his lungs. However, after receiving medical treatment and following a carefully crafted plan, Corleone is set to make a triumphant return to the field.
Corleone, a native of Cincinnati, experienced chest discomfort and shortness of breath in June, prompting him to seek medical attention from the Cincinnati medical staff. He spent one night at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where he received treatment for the blood clots. Over the following months, Corleone, his family, and the Cincinnati sports medicine staff, including head medical trainer Aaron Himmler and team physician Dr. Jon Divine, consulted with various physicians and specialists to develop a comprehensive plan for his safe return to football activities.
Expressing his gratitude, Corleone stated, “I’m excited to be back on the field with my brothers. My family and I are very thankful for Aaron Himmler, Dr. Divine, and the entire UC sports medicine staff. I also want to thank all of our fans for their love and support throughout this process. For the last few months, I have worked extremely hard to make a return.”
Standing at an imposing 6-foot-1 and weighing 320 pounds, Corleone has been a force to be reckoned with on the field. He earned second-team All-Big 12 honors in 2023 during Cincinnati’s inaugural season in the conference. Notably, he recorded 39 total tackles, three sacks, 6.5 tackles for loss, and one forced fumble. Corleone’s breakout season came in 2022 when he was named a third-team and freshman All-American. His impressive performance included 45 tackles, three sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and two recoveries. Pro Football Focus even recognized him as the highest-rated defensive player among FBS programs.
Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield expressed his excitement about Corleone’s return, saying, “Dontay has really worked hard to get to this point, and we are excited to have him back. We will continue to closely monitor him.”
The Bearcats, coming off a season-opening victory against Towson, will now prepare to face the Pitt Panthers at Nippert Stadium on Saturday. With Corleone’s return adding a boost to their defensive line, Cincinnati aims to continue their winning streak and showcase their strength against their formidable opponents.
As Corleone prepares to step back onto the field, his triumphant return serves as an inspiration to his teammates and fans alike. It is a testament to his perseverance, hard work, and the unwavering support he received from his medical team, family, and the Cincinnati community. With his talent and determination, Corleone is certain to make a significant impact on the field and contribute to Cincinnati’s success in the upcoming season.