In recent years, the topic of concussions has become one of much debate throughout athletics. Whether its involves football or wrestling, athletes have learned the severity of the potential long-term effects, and have begun to take the precautionary measures to prevent any future injuries. Northwestern linebacker Collin Ellis is one of those players. On Monday, Ellis announced that he will retire from football after suffering a concussion on October 11 against Minnesota. Ellis has been sidelined ever since the head injury, and has reportedly endured several concussions throughout his career. Ellis and Head coach Pat Fitzgerald previously discussed the injury before Fitzgerald made the news public Monday.
“It’s a decision I think is absolutely the correct one,” Fitzgerald said. “It’s one that he’s made with our medical team. And we’ve been in a lot of private conversations, Collin and I, and I think it’s the right decision short-term and also the right decision long-term.”
The redshirt senior captain wraps up his season with 33 tackles, one sack and an interception, and over the course of his career totaled 144 tackles, four sacks and four interceptions. A season ago was Ellis’ best campaign collecting 77 tackles and three interceptions.
“It’s really sad and disappointing that he won’t get a chance to put on the helmet again and the jersey and go out and play,” Fitzgerald said. “But he’s had a wonderful career. He’s doing a great job passing on his knowledge, his love, his passion.”
The Wildcats have struggled significantly during the 2014 season limping to a 3-6 record. Still, Northwestern has three pivotal games remaining on the schedule in matchups with Notre Dame, Purdue and Illinois, and must win out if they hope to salvage their season and qualify for a bowl game. Nonetheless, the Wildcats lost not only a great player, but a leader and will be forced to complete their year without Collin Ellis.
*Section Photo credit to Kelley L Cox, USA Today Sports; Featured Photo credit to Bradley Leeb, USA Today Sports.
