Tech's Gathers has kidney woes

ATLANTA - Georgia Tech defensive end Greg Gathers could miss the rest of the season because of a kidney ailment that has caused him to drop 15 pounds and taken away his stamina.<br> <br> Gathers, the school&#39;s career sacks leader, won&#39;t play in Saturday&#39;s game against Brigham Young and likely will apply to the NCAA for a medical redshirt, which would allow the senior to come back and play next year if he can&#39;t return this season.<br> <br> If Gathers plays another game, he won&#39;t be eligible for the medical exemption. He also was hurting his NFL draft potential by trying to play when he wasn&#39;t at full strength.<br> <br> &#34;I think everybody could see he was not performing,&#34; coach Chan Gailey said. &#34;He was trying his best, but his medical condition wouldn&#39;t allow him to do what he needed to do.&#34;<br> <br> Gathers, a 6-foot-1, 275-pound player, had 10 sacks last season to lead the Atlantic Coast Conference. He has 31 sacks for his career but only one in the Yellow Jackets&#39; first three games. He had just one tackle in a 24-19 loss to Clemson last Saturday.<br> <br> Gathers has been on medication for the kidney disorder, known as minimal change disease, since mid-July. That made it difficult for him to regain strength and stamina.<br> <br> &#34;He has a lot of pride in himself,&#34; Gailey said. &#34;It takes a man to admit that he&#39;s not where he needs to be physically.&#34;<br> <br> Gathers did not attend practice Thursday and could not be reached for comment.<br> <br> Dr. Angelo Galante, the team&#39;s physician, said Gather&#39;s condition is not as serious as the kidney disorder that has threatened the career of NBA player Alonzo Mourning.<br> <br> Gathers&#39; ailment involves protein leaking into the urinary tract, which can lead to kidney failure if left untreated. He has been taking a prednisone, a steroid, and other medications to make sure his body doesn&#39;t retain water and unneeded weight.<br>