NC State QB Grayson McCall, 23, Retiring from Football After Head Injury: ‘Feel Like My Whole World Is Being Taken’

Mar. 15, 2025

Grayson McCall.Photo:Lance King/Getty

Lance King/Getty

North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall is retiring from football at 23-years-old to prioritize his health after aseries of head injurieson the field.In a lengthy post on Instagram on Wednesday, Oct. 23, McCall expressed his lifelong love for the game and realizing his childhood dreams of playing, before announcing that his time as a football player has come to an end earlier than he had hoped.“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short. As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from," he explained. “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.“McCall was carted off the fieldafter a scary hitduring a game against Wake Forest on Oct. 5. A year earlier, when he was playing for Coastal Carolina, he had to stay overnight at a hospital following another hard hit.McCall said that despite multiple head injuries throughout his career, he doesn’t have any regrets.“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” he continued. “Every time my feet hit the grass, I left every single ounce of myself on that field. 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. I want to use this time to show my appreciation to everyone who has been along for the ride.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Grayson McCall.Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire/GettyAs for what McCall has planned for his future off the field, he gave fans an update in the post that he’s looking ahead to a future in coaching. “I look forward to taking my passion and love for the game into the coaching space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,” McCall ended the post.

North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall is retiring from football at 23-years-old to prioritize his health after aseries of head injurieson the field.

In a lengthy post on Instagram on Wednesday, Oct. 23, McCall expressed his lifelong love for the game and realizing his childhood dreams of playing, before announcing that his time as a football player has come to an end earlier than he had hoped.

“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short. As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” he explained. “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.”

McCall was carted off the fieldafter a scary hitduring a game against Wake Forest on Oct. 5. A year earlier, when he was playing for Coastal Carolina, he had to stay overnight at a hospital following another hard hit.

McCall said that despite multiple head injuries throughout his career, he doesn’t have any regrets.

“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” he continued. “Every time my feet hit the grass, I left every single ounce of myself on that field. 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. I want to use this time to show my appreciation to everyone who has been along for the ride.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Grayson McCall.Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire/Getty

Nicholas Faulkner/Icon Sportswire/Getty

As for what McCall has planned for his future off the field, he gave fans an update in the post that he’s looking ahead to a future in coaching. “I look forward to taking my passion and love for the game into the coaching space to serve and lead the next group of kids with a dream,” McCall ended the post.

source: people.com