When Grayson McCall announced his transfer to NC State this summer, the fifth-year quarterback was hoping for one last go with a Power Five program.
After four seasons of football in the Sun Belt leading the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the veteran quarterback wanted a chance to showcase himself and his talents on a bigger stage.
However, after playing in parts of just four games with the Pack, McCall has announced that he will be retiring from football.
“Unfortunately, my dream has been cut just short,” McCall said in a post on his Instagram page. “As you all know I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from. 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.”
The news comes approximately three weeks after McCall was knocked unconscious in a game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.
The veteran quarterback was struck by three defenders while on the run, off of a quarterback keeper and he absorbed all three blows to the head all at once.
McCall awoke on the field and was able to signal to the crowd as he went off, but having already suffered from multiple head injuries throughout his career, including a very serious one that ended his season at Coastal Carolina last year, it was just too much risk to continue playing.
“We kind of knew after the game,” said NC State coach Dave Doeren on when he knew that McCall was done playing. “[We knew] that if he had another one then that was probably it. It was more of a matter of the steps he wanted to take and when he was ready to make it a public thing. It’s a big step to make that announcement and have to say those words. Even though you know that it’s happening, it’s difficult to say those words out loud.
“I asked him how he wanted to go about the next stage and he needed time and I said to do whatever he needed to do and that we were here to support him. I was like, ‘When you’re ready to announce the next steps, let’s have a conversation.’ We knew where this thing was going and I wanted him to do it his way.”
Despite the difficulty of walking away from what had basically been his entire life, the 23 year old seems to be taking the news as well as one in his position can.
“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” McCall wrote. “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.”
While he might be retiring from playing on the field, McCall doesn’t want to call it quits on the game he loves though and is hoping to transition into 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 said.
“I’ve told him that if this is the path that he wants to be on, we’re all in on helping him,” Doeren said. “Obviously he has our staff, but he knows a lot of coaches, so he’s going to have opportunities in this profession if this is what he wants. He loves the game of football, he loves the brotherhood of football and he’s going to be really good if he decides that’s the path.”
After taking a bit of time away from the program to be with his family, McCall has rejoined the team and continues to be a noticeable presence at NC State’s practices and he’s especially taken to coaching and advising the Pack’s other two quarterbacks: CJ Bailey and Lex Thomas.
From day one, Doeren harped on just how much of a leader McCall is and even though he isn’t playing, the veteran continues to demonstrate those leadership qualities and it’s evident why he will remain a captain on the team.
“He’s earned every opportunity in this sport,” Doeren said. “He’s a great teammate, he’s a tremendous young man to coach and he’s got a bright future as a coach if that’s what he chooses to do.”
