Reveiz family knows value of heart screens

Fuad Reveiz' newest endeavor hits close to home.

The former Tennessee kicker who has built houses and hosted television shows doesn't want any father to experience what he almost had to endure a little more than two years ago.

That's when his son, UT linebacker Shane Reveiz, was diagnosed with a tumor in his heart. The open-heart surgery to remedy the ailment was stressful enough, but doctors told the Reveiz family it could have been much worse.

Had the problem not been detected, the tumor could have broken loose and killed the otherwise healthy athlete.

The tumor was detected by a heart screening that is becoming more common in colleges, but still rare in high school and younger children. That's why Fuad Reveiz aligned himself with Heart Screens for Teens and has held $65 screenings for teenagers at Farragut High School and will do the same this week at Christian Academy of Knoxville.

"To know that there is something out there that can be prevented, it's a shame not to get involved and get this done," the longtime NFL kicker said Tuesday on The News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page.

Shane Reveiz was one of three UT athletes diagnosed with a heart ailment in 2007. Former UT basketball player Duke Crews has an enlarged heart that is now controlled by medication.

The ultimate goal of Heart Screens for Teens is to have all area middle schools and high schools host the screenings, which can cost upwards of $1,000 by a cardiologist, but are far cheaper thanks to donations. Non-athletes are encouraged to undergo the screening as well.

"We can screen these kids and have a clear conscience," Fuad Reveiz said. "Those are the kind of things that you can prevent. My goal is to get it as cheap as possible and in as many hands as possible.

"This is a very preventable type of thing so there's really no excuse to be able to do it."

Heart Screens for Teens will be at CAK on March 17-20. To make donations, go to heartscreensforteens.com.

The Other Reveiz: UT senior linebacker Nick Reveiz is making good progress as he rehabilitates a torn knee ligament suffered against Ohio in September 2009.

"Nick is doing real well," the elder Reveiz said. "It's kind of like putting a big tiger in a little cage. You've got to tell him 'No, you can't do that.'

"He feels like he's 100 percent but that ligament has to attach itself to the bone more than 100 percent. You don't want that ligament to experience any stresses that the ligament isn't ready to experience. He's going to chew his arm off not being in practice this spring."

Nick Reveiz is expected to participate in some aspects of spring drills, with limitations on lateral movement and no contact. He is expected to be released in approximately six weeks and be 100 percent in time for fall camp.

No Woes For Wes: Former UT defensive tackle Wes Brown said his ailing knees that limited him last season have recovered nicely this off-season.

"They're doing good," Brown said. "I'm just enjoying the time off from them and being able to rest them. They're feeling better. As long as I can play golf and enjoy myself and they don't bother me, I'm fine with it."

Brown was considering surgery but said he doesn't see that being necessary anytime soon, even though physical activity can still cause some aches and pains.

Off-Season Report: It's a good thing Brown's knees aren't in UT's off-season workouts under first-year coach Derek Dooley.

"From what I've heard from (defensive end) Chris Walker and my other good buddies on the team, it's very tough," Brown said. "It's very mentally challenging and very physically challenging as well. There's no doubt that they're headed in the right direction."