North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall says it’s time to “hang the cleats up.”
On Wednesday, McCall announced on Instagram that he’s decided to retire from football after medical professionals advised him to walk away from the sport following a concussion he suffered in NC State’s Week 6 loss to Wake Forest. He said it’s something he “cannot come back from” following a string of concussions.
“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short,” McCall, 23, wrote. “As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from. I have done everything I can to continue, but this is where the good Lord has called me to serve in a different space. Brain specialists, my family, and I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”
In the first quarter of NC State’s 34-30 loss to Wake Forest on Oct. 5, McCall attempted to run for a first down and was hit by multiple Demon Deacons defenders, including one who made helmet-to-helmet contact with McCall, knocking his helmet off as he slammed to the ground. He was carted off the field on a stretcher and hospitalized.