NC State QB Trusts the ‘Good Lord’ As He Retires From Football at 23
By Movieguide® Contributor
NC State quarterback Grayson McCall is trusting God as he decides to retire from football at just 23 years old.
“As a young kid I wanted to watch football and run around with the ball in my hand. Throughout that time, I developed a deep love and passion for the game. Through God’s work and some pretty good genetics, I found out that I could be better than all the other kids if I just kept working at it,” he shared on Instagram.
The quarterback led the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers for four years before transferring to NC State to play another season.
“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short,” McCall wrote. “As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from.”
“The 23-year-old was carted off the field during N.C. State’s Oct. 5 game against Wake Forest after two defenders hit him as he scrambled during the first quarter. During the hit, his helmet came off and he lost control of the ball, then laid on the ground as a defender returned the fumble nearly the entire length of the field,” NPR reported.
This concussion was the second of this season and at least the third of McCall’s college career.
“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,” he added.
While he feels “like my whole world is being taken from me,” he feels some “sense of contentment” knowing he left everything on the field each time he played.
“I always played my hardest and to the best of my ability because I never knew what play would be my last. I have no regrets throughout my career and that is something I can be proud of,” the quarterback wrote before thanking his family, friends, teammates, coaches and fans.
McCall also spoke to the media last week about his decision to retire and how he came to terms with that decision.
“It was extremely difficult,” he told the media of his decision to retire. “At the end of the day, it was something I knew was a possibility after everything that happened last year and then getting reinjured in the La Tech game. Going into it from that point forward, I knew it was a possibility if I couldn’t stay healthy. Specifically to another head injury, I knew it was a possibility. To actually have the conversations and have to put it into words and things like that, it was tough.”
Last season, McCall suffered from a severe concussion, but he has decided to prioritize his dreams for the future outside of football.
“When it happened last year it was a pretty bad concussion. It was really eye opening for me,” McCall said. “Taking as an educational opportunity to learn and continuing to learn as I’m going throughout this process. At the end of the day, I want to have a full life. I want to get married and have kids one day. I want to be a football coach. I want to be a great dad one day. Without a healthy brain none of those things are possible. I love the game so much but it’s come down to things bigger than that.”
