College Football Player Retires After 3 Concussions

EVANSTON, IL - Northwestern University senior cornerback Matthew Harris announced his retirement from football on Monday.

Several media reports including CBSSports.com have reported the decision was made to retire because of the multiple concussions Harris has suffered since joining the Wildcats team three years ago.

Harris suffered a concussion on his first play as part of a special teams unit as a freshman, another one as a sophomore and a third during the Wildcats’ game against Illinois State earlier this year.

Harris has not played since that game, and the school’s athletic department confirmed on Monday that that would be his last game.

"This is an incredibly difficult decision to reach, but it is the right one for me and for my future," said Harris, a Lyons Township High School grad.

Harris was a recipient of the Irving Kabiller Memorial Award for Excellence in Character, Commitment and Community from the NU For Life professional development program in 2015 and utilized his $5,000 grant to create a multi-day program for underprivileged young men in the Evanston community during the summer of 2016, according to the school.

His last football play in the September game against Illinois State was of him getting hit in the head while making a tackle.

"There are few things I love more than playing the game of football, and the game has provided me with so many opportunities, including the chance to attend this university," he said. "It has been a blessing to be a part of this community and learn so many lessons. Northwestern has given me so much. I look forward to taking full advantage of my chance to give back to the world around me in the future."

photo via Northwestern Athletics