NC State QB McCall retiring after head injuries

• Jake Trotter, ESPN Elder WriterOct 23, 2024, 08:51 PM ET Close Jake Trotter covers college football for ESPN. He joined ESPN in 2011. Before that, he operated at The Oklahoman, Austin American-Statesman and Middletown (Ohio) Journal papers. You can follow him @Jake_Trotter.

NC State quarterback Grayson McCall is retiring from football following his most current head injury that he suffered earlier this month, he announced Wednesday.

“I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I can not return from,” McCall posted to Instagram. “Brain experts, my family, and I have actually concerned the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”

McCall, who has a history of concussions, was hauled off the field after taking a hit to the head following a running play throughout a home loss to Wake Forest on Oct. 5.

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He likewise suffered a major head injury last season while playing for Coastal Carolina.McCall tossed for 10,005 lawns and 88 touchdowns over 42 games for Coastal Carolina before moving to NC State throughout the offseason. Over 4 games for the Wolfpack, he passed for 518 backyards and tossed three touchdowns with 2 interceptions. “As I seem like my whole world is being drawn from me, I feel some sense of contentment,”McCall said in his post. “Whenever my feet hit the turf, I left each and every single ounce of myself on that field. I constantly played my hardest and to the best of my capability because I never ever understood what play would be my last. I have no remorses throughout my profession which is something I can be pleased with.”True freshman CJ Bailey replaced McCall during the

Wake Forest game.McCall wrote that he is intending to get into training now that his playing

profession is over.” I anticipate taking my enthusiasm and love for the game into the training space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,”he said in his post.NC State(4-4)has a bye this weekend.