Michigan QB Jack Tuttle Steps Away from Football Due to Health Concerns

Michigan quarterback Jack Tuttle announces his retirement from football after suffering multiple concussions, becoming the second college QB to make such a decision within a week. He emphasizes prioritizing his health as he contemplates a coaching career.

Michigan Wolverines quarterback Jack Tuttle announced his retirement from football on Monday, citing health concerns, particularly related to concussions. His decision marks a significant moment in college football, as he is the second quarterback in less than a week to step away from the game for similar reasons.

Tuttle, a seventh-year senior who spent four years with the Indiana Hoosiers before transferring to Michigan in anticipation of the Wolverines’ national championship campaign in 2023, shared his thoughts in a heartfelt post on X. He mentioned that this decision came after extensive discussions with his family, doctors, and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of health in his life moving forward.

“The past year has been a difficult journey for me, highlighted by a UCL repair in my throwing arm from which I have struggled to fully recover, leading to ongoing complications,” Tuttle wrote. He further revealed that enduring his fifth concussion prompted him to confront the reality that prioritizing his health was essential. Throughout his college career, he faced various injuries, and ultimately, this painful choice became necessary for his well-being.

At 25 years old, Tuttle participated in two games for the Wolverines this season and expressed a desire to remain connected to football as he pursues a coaching career. Just last week, North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall made a similar announcement after suffering a concussion that he felt he could not return from. In an Instagram post on October 23, McCall stated, “I have done everything I can to continue, but this is where the good Lord has called me to serve in a different space. After consulting with brain specialists and my family, we concluded that it is in my best interest to hang up my cleats.”

The recent retirements of college quarterbacks due to concussions shine a light on the serious risks football players face. Concussions have long been a pressing issue within the sport, leading some players to pledge their brains to science for research on the long-term effects of repeated head injuries.

In the NFL, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa made his return to the field on Sunday after an extended absence due to yet another concussion. Despite the dangers, Tagovailoa expressed his unwavering love for the game, stating that he never considered retirement after his latest injury.

Tuttle is one of three starting quarterbacks Michigan has utilized this year, having entered significant gameplay against the University of Washington earlier this month. He also started in the Wolverines' subsequent game against the University of Illinois, which ended in a disappointing 21-7 loss for the team.