In a heartbreaking announcement, North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall has retired from football due to multiple concussions, with his latest injury suffered during an October 5 game against Wake Forest. McCall, a star athlete with a long and successful college career, took a hit to the head that ended his time on the field, forcing him to make the difficult decision to step away from the game he loves.
McCall, who transferred to NC State for his final college season after a standout career at Coastal Carolina, was stretchered off the field following a brutal collision with Wake Forest. His helmet came off during the impact, and he was immediately rushed to a local hospital. Though he was released the same day, the injury would turn out to be his final play. In a powerful statement posted to social media, McCall revealed that after consulting with brain specialists and his family, he knew his time as a player had come to an end.
“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” McCall wrote, expressing pride in how he gave everything to the game. “I always played my hardest and to the best of my ability because I never knew what play would be my last.”
McCall’s decision to retire follows a series of injuries throughout his career, but this most recent concussion was the one he couldn’t return from. Despite the sadness, McCall expressed gratitude for the journey football has taken him on, reflecting on the memories, relationships, and lessons the sport brought into his life.
McCall was a three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year during his time with the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, where he made a name for himself as one of the top quarterbacks in college football. His transfer to NC State was seen as a major move, but injuries cut his season and career tragically short.
As McCall looks to the future, he’s turning his attention to coaching, hoping to inspire the next generation of athletes. “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 said, signaling a new chapter in his football journey.
Though his playing days are over, Grayson McCall’s legacy will continue, both on the field and in the hearts of the teammates, coaches, and fans who supported him every step of the way.
