NFL Tickets
Virginia Tech Hokies safety, Michael Cole will never play football again. He has decided to retire after numerous consultations with doctors regarding a neck injury he suffered November 8th,2012 against the Florida State Seminoles.
Cole was treated on the field following the hit and immobilized. It was later revealed that he had suffered a sprained neck. Doctors feel by continuing to play football at the collegiate level is a serious risk to further injure Cole’s neck and spine.
The silver lining in all of this is that Cole gets to keep his scholarship to the school at continue his education. The scholarship will also not continue to count against Virginia Techs 85 scholarship ceiling.
“I would just like to thank Coach Beamer, Coach Stinespring — who recruited me — and all of the coaches in making my dreams come true.” “It truly has been an honor and a blessing to be led by such a highly respected group of people. I would also like to thank my friends and family back home and the entire Hokie Nation, which has supported me throughout my career. It pains me that I will never be able to put the pads on again for this prestigious program and university, but in spite of all this, I will forever be a Hokie.”
Neck injuries are a very serious condition that most athletes don’t bounce back from. The deterioration, surgery and comeback of Denver Broncos quarterback, Peyton Manning has been well documented. He was able to have a cervical spinal decompression and fusion(ACDF) and continue to play at the highest level in the NFL. Manning’s case is an exception to the rule however.
No one will fault Cole for his decision to quit football. He is making the right choice by protecting his future and putting his health first. It’s also a very good thing for him to be able to continue his education at no costs to his family. Here’s hoping he get’s his degree and has a healthy future.
Share 
