Kirk Ferentz reveals Cade McNamara chose to not be honored at Iowa Senior Day

Iowa graduate quarterback Cade McNamara was not honored on Senior Day Friday ahead of the Hawkeyes game against Nebraska. McNamara was on the list of players to be honored, but he did not take part in Senior Day festivities.

After the game, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz revealed why Cade McNamara was not honored on Senior Day.

“Yea, opt outs a big term right now, right? Opt outs,” Kirk Ferentz said. “He just declined the chance to come out and that’s strictly up to him, his desires. So we’re going to honor that.

“And we’ll see where it all goes here. Hopefully he’s feeling better. As I said last week, I mean he’s had a rotten three years. So I hope everybody can be empathetic towards that.”

Cade McNamara has not played since Oct. 26 in a win over Northwestern as he has still been dealing with a concussion suffered that day. The former Michigan quarterback recently addressed his health.

McNamara said he heard about “rumors” going around about his status for the rest of the year. Brendan Sullivan took over at quarterback, but is out for the rest of the season. Third-string QB Jackson Stratton has been starting as of late.

McNamara called “accusations” his season was over “100% false” as he goes through his final year in Iowa City. He was continuing his treatment with hopes of taking the field at Kinnick Stadium for the Nebraska game. Obviously that didn’t happen.

“I suffered a concussion versus Northwestern and have been doing everything in my power to get back on the field,” Cade McNamara wrote last week. “I have NOT been cleared to play yet. I was cleared to participate in practice this past Sunday but had an adverse reaction which is common for someone coming out of protocol.

“I have been lifting and attending meetings as much as possible but have not physically participated in practice Monday through Thursday of this week. Because of this, I am unable to travel and participate this weekend at Maryland.

“I have been working with the University of Iowa doctors and trainers, a concussion specialist focused on vision training, as well as engaging in hyperbaric treatments as frequent as possible. I have every intention to play versus Nebraska next Friday night and I am confident that my teammates will return from Maryland with a win.”