Major Update: NC State Elite Sensation Calls it Quits From Football After Suffering Massive “Traumatic Brain Injury”

The Coastal Carolina transfer plans to transition into coaching

NC State quarterback Grayson McCall announced his retirement from football on Wednesday, citing a concussion he suffered earlier this year as the reason for his decision. McCall was carted off the field during the first quarter of a game against Wake Forest after taking a significant hit while scrambling on a third down.

“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut short,” McCall shared in a social media post. “I’ve battled injuries throughout my career, but this one is one I can’t recover from. After discussions with brain specialists and my family, we believe it’s in my best interest to hang up my cleats. I look forward to channeling my passion for the game into coaching and helping the next generation of young athletes with their dreams.”

McCall’s 2023 season at Coastal Carolina was also cut short due to a concussion sustained when Arkansas State’s Trevian Thomas collided with him while he was sliding, causing his head to hit the ground. He remained motionless on the field for several minutes before being carted off and later left the stadium in an ambulance.

The graduate senior finishes his career with impressive stats: 10,523 passing yards, 91 touchdowns, and only 22 interceptions. He also contributed 1,166 rushing yards and 18 additional touchdowns. McCall is the only player in Sun Belt Conference history to win the league’s player of the year award three years in a row.

He has expressed his intent to move into coaching, stating, “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.”

In the meantime, NC State freshman CJ Bailey has stepped in to start in McCall’s absence, completing 67.1% of his passes for 1,376 yards and eight touchdowns. NC State will have a bye week before facing Stanford on November 2nd.