Vanderbilt Quarterback Retires For Health Reasons, Medical School
By Ty Duffy
Vanderbilt QB Patton Robinette has ended his football career to focus on medical school. His “health and future” weighed into the decision. Robinette missed significant football and academic time due to a concussion last season.
"“This has been a very difficult decision to make,” Robinette said in a news release. “This team means the world to me and I love playing football more than anything. It’s been tough coming to a decision that is right for my family and I, and protects my health and future. “I’ve been very deliberate in coming to this decision. It’s difficult but I’m really excited to move forward to the next chapter of my life and really to see what the field of medicine has in store for me.”"
Robinette was in play to be Vanderbilt’s starter, although not an NFL prospect. His decision comes days after Michigan’s projected starting C Jack Miller decided to skip his final season, citing multiple concussions.
It’s too early to term Chris Borland’s retirement a tipping point. As Jason Lisk wrote, any substantial impact will come with the next generation. Players, however, seem to be more cognizant of the health risks than before. Some of the stigma about leaving football may be eroding. It’s probable we begin seeing college and NFL players, at least those with other options, deploy a more stringent cost-benefit analysis about continuing their careers.