Virginia Tech football player and Roanoke native Michael Cole will retire from football, the school announced Thursday.
Cole, a Cave Spring grad, suffered a neck injury in November during a game against Florida State.
Cole made the decision to step away from football after experiencing “persistent symptoms” following surgery. Doctors expect him to make a full recovery, but Cole made the decision to avoid further injury to his neck and spine.
“I would just like to thank Coach Beamer, Coach Stinespring - who recruited me - and all of the coaches in making my dreams come true,” Cole wrote in a news release. “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.”
Cole is a redshirt freshman. He will remain on scholarship at Virginia Tech, and will remain an active part of the team on the sidelines.
“I am disappointed that Michael Cole will no longer be playing football at Virginia Tech,” Hokies coach Frank Beamer wrote in a news release. “Good players with great character are hard to replace. I believe Michael has a great future no matter what road he decides to take.”
Cole played in 10 games during the 2012 season, starting four. He led the Hokies with 11 tackles against North Carolina.
