N.C. State quarterback Grayson McCall was carted off the field during the Wolfpack’s first drive against Wake Forest on Saturday after a big hit sent the graduate student tumbling to the turf.
McCall was hit by Wake Forest linebacker Quincy Bryant. McCall’s helmet flew off and his mouth guard came out of his mouth. McCall hit the ground and teammates, notably wide receiver Keenan Jackson, immediately signaled to the sideline for medical attention while the ball was still in play. McCall lost consciousness for a brief period.
Medical staff, head coach Dave Doeren and McCall’s father ran onto the field following the hit. Team captain Davin Vann kneeled with tears in his eyes as paramedics stabilized McCall’s neck and transported him off the field on a spinal board. Offensive line coach Garrett Tujague and linebacker Sean Brown kneeled on the sideline, appearing to pray for the quarterback.
“It was heartbreaking to see that,” offensive lineman Tim McKay said. “He’s a guy who fought hard for us. He came here from Coastal, is a captain. Seeing him go down earlier in the season and go down again this week is kind of disheartening. We know how hard he works for us. It’s really sad seeing that.”