NC State came into the college football season with hopes to vault itself up the ACC ladder. A big reason why those in the Wolfpack camp were so confident was the team’s signal-caller, Grayson McCall.
The team — and McCall — will have to readjust.
McCall announced that he was stepping away from the gridiron, felled by a hit to the head he suffered in the first quarter of NC State’s Week 6 loss vs. Wake Forest.
Here’s what you need to know about McCall’s retirement due to injury.
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Grayson McCall injury updates
McCall announced his retirement on Wednesday, nearly three weeks after he suffered his head injury.
“I have battled injuries my whole career, but this is one that I cannot come back from,” McCall posted to Instagram. “Brain specialists, my family, and I have come to the conclusion that it is in my best interest to hang the cleats up.”
The 23-year-old QB — who has a history of concussions, including a head injury with Coastal Carolina in 2023 that ended his season — was knocked out of the Wolfpack’s Week 6 contest with Wake Forest after falling victim to a helmet-to-helmet hit.
NC State QB Grayson McCall was just stretchered off after suffering a brutal hit vs. Wake Forest.
Prayers up 🙏 pic.twitter.com/HdpNZFt9QU
— CFB Kings (@CFBKings) October 5, 2024
McCall remained down after the play and eventually was carted off the field, though he was conscious and able to move his arms as he left the game with the medical staff. He was taken to the hospital for further evaluation.
Grayson McCall able to move his arms as he’s being lifted up on the cart.
He hugged his parents before being taken off the field. pic.twitter.com/3lhf5cPhIx
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) October 5, 2024
“As I feel like my whole world is being taken from me, I feel some sense of contentment,” McCall wrote in his post. “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.”
McCall indicated that he is now turning his sights to coaching with his playing career finished.
“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,” he wrote.
