NC State’s game against Wake Forest took a terrifying turn Saturday after Wolfpack quarterback Grayson McCall was left motionless on the ground following a brutal collision.
McCall made his return to Raleigh this weekend – after missing two games due to a concussion – but minutes into the game he took a nasty blow to the head and was left on the turf.
Three defenders converged as the quarterback looked for a first down. McCall bowed his head just before his helmet flew into the air and the quarterback collapsed to the ground.
He then lay still as Carter-Finley Stadium fell silent and teammates frantically called for treatment.
Medics rushed onto the field and, like ESPN reported, cut off the quarterback’s jersey and placed him in a neck brace.
NC State quarterback Grayson McCall took a brutal hit against Wake Forest on Saturday
The quarterback had to be carted off the field after the collision left him motionless
Some Wolfpack players took a knee, while others left the field in tears.
Fortunately, the quarterback was able to gesture to the crowd after being placed on the cart that carried him off the field.
Later, NC State confirmed that McCall had been released from the hospital. “He is alert and cheerful and all scans were normal,” the school said.
“As far as Grayson is concerned, all reports from the hospital are positive,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said immediately after the game, per 247 Sports.
“If they have gone through all the tests, we will obviously have more information by then.”
“All reports from the hospital are positive,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said
McCall’s teammates took a knee as the crowd in Raleigh fell silent on Saturday
It is not the first serious head injury in McCall’s career. While playing at Coastal Carolina last year, he took a nasty hit that ended his season and almost his career.
Doeren added: ‘He was ready to play and he took a really nasty hit.
“Sometimes football can be a very violent sport, and that was a big blow for him… I hate it for him. You hate to see someone get beaten like that. And of course the results of such hits are frightening.”
Wake Forest went on to win the game 34-30, while NC State was now 3-3 for the season.