Grayson McCall opens up on decision to retire after latest concussion: 'It's not worth it'

Grayson McCall decided to retire from football last week after suffering another concussion in his career. He has now further discussed that decision to move on and maintain what’s next for him in life.

McCall spoke to the media earlier today about his retirement. He went through his thought process on it and how he came to this conclusion regarding his health.

“Yeah, I mean, it was extremely difficult. But, I mean, at the end of the day, it was something that I knew was a possibility,” said McCall. “After everything that happened last year and then, you know, kind of getting re-injured in the LA Tech game? You know, going into it, you know, from that point forward, kind of knew it was a possibility if I couldn’t stay healthy, specifically to another head injury. I knew it was a possibility. But to actually have the conversations and, you know, have to kind of put it into words? It was tough.”

“I knew, you know, one day that the cleats were going to come off and the helmet was going to come off but for it to happen like that and the way it did was just, you know, really heartbreaking for me,” McCall continued. “Luckily for me, I’ve got a lot of great people in my corner that have kind of helped me through this. So just kind of going through the transition and excited for what’s next.”

McCall suffered the concussion after taking a big hit, one that knocked his helmet off amongst three defenders, against Wake Forest on October 5th. Medical personnel then carted him off the field and sent him to the hospital before his release that night.

Just over two weeks later, McCall made his announcement. However, McCall, alongside his family, knew in the ambulance and in the hours later that afternoon that his playing days were going to be over.

“I was fully aware of that being a possibility. When everything happened, you know, I kind of knew. I mean, whenever I woke up in the ambulance and they took me to hospital, I, you know, opened my eyes and my mom was right beside me, you know. We kind of just both looked at each other at the same time and said that’s it,” said McCall. “As much as I love this game and everything it’s done for me, I can’t put myself through that again. I just can’t mentally.”

“Like I talked about my health earlier, my family, and all the things I want to do in the future? It’s just not worth it at the end of the day,” McCall said. “So, you know, whenever I woke up and came to the conclusion that it was probably it, just kind of had to build up the courage to have those conversations and ultimately, you know, write something up, make it public but I kind of knew that it was a reality after it happened.”

McCall played six seasons of collegiate football with five at Coastal Carolina and then this one at NC State. In that time, McCall threw for 10,523 yards on 69.6% completion for 91 touchdowns and 16 interceptions. That included being 53-80 (66.3%) for 518 yards, three touchdowns, and two picks this fall with the Wolfpack.

With that, McCall was Sun Belt Player of the Year in three of his five seasons. He also became one of the top quarterbacks in the country, especially this past offseason when multiple teams wanted him out of the transfer portal.

Still, life lasts a lot longer than any span a player has in sports. That’s what McCall kept in mind, especially with all he has learned about concussions after having multiple, as he chose to call it a career.

“I think the one last year, I think, was four. So looking at six or seven total. You know, I think every doctor kind of has their own opinion. But, once you get to, kind of, four to five range and anything after that really isn’t good,” said McCall. “I think what I’ve learned from this last one is that, the more you continue to get, the chances of a full recovery, you know, decrease.”

“I think, you know, like I said, when it happened last year, you know, obviously, it was a pretty bad concussion. You know, it was really eye-opening for me. So just kind of taking it as an educational opportunity to learn, continue to learn as I’m going throughout this process,” said McCall. “But, you know, at the end of the day, I want to have a full life. I want to get married and have kids one day. I want to be a football coach and I want to be a great dad one day. Without a healthy brain, none of those things are possible.”

McCall could have certainly checked back in for what was his final season of college eligibility anyway. Still, he gave those final games up with all that has ahead of him in the front of his mind.

“You know, I love the game so much but it’s come down to things bigger than that,” said McCall.