What is Xavier Restrepo's facial condition? Looking back at his mother's comments about the rare condition

Xavier Restrepo was among the many NFL prospects who went undrafted over the weekend. However, he later got a call from the Tennessee Titans and is set to join former Miami teammate Cam Ward at the franchise for the 2025 NFL season.

Restrepo has a rare facial condition, vascular malformation, which he developed soon after birth, resulting in a distinct malformation of his lips. Per his mother, Ashley, at the time of his birth, a doctor squeezed the veins located around his cheek, which may have caused the condition.

Xavier Restrepo at 2025 NFL Scouting Combine - Source: Getty

In an interview with Footballville in 2022, Restrepo's mother opened up about the condition and how it affects him.

Ashley said (1:13):

"Anytime he gets exerted and he's exhausting himself, the vascular veins in his face swell up. When he was being born, they used forceps and they ended up pinching up a cluster of his veins and his face. When they took him out, we didn't know until later on in life."

According to Ashley, Xavier Restrepo developed the condition around three months after birth, and it has remained over time.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it is a rare condition that may form in different vessels throughout the body. While the exact cause is unknown, it may result from genetic abnormalities in local tissues or, in some cases, be inherited.

In vascular anomalies, vessels "enlarge or form tangles, pockets or shunting vessels." This may cause abnormal flow of blood in the body.

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Xavier Restrepo gets emotional after signing with the Titans

Although Xavier Restrepo wasn't selected in the NFL draft, he later received a call from the Tennessee Titans. He was with his family and friends when he received the call. After discussing with officials, Restrepo looked at his family and friends and said:

"Tennessee."

Everyone jumped for joy to celebrate the big moment.

Xavier Restrepo shared an emotional video on his X (formerly Twitter) account following his selection, along with a motivating three-word caption:

"GOD NEVER FAILS.”

He posted another video, a recap of his game with a strong message, which reads:

"God Doesn’t Make Mistakes. Be Still. Won’t be denied."

Restrepo was named a consensus All-American and first-team All-ACC last season. He is now gearing up for his NFL debut with Cam Ward. Ward and Restrepo both played for Miami from 2020 to 2024.