Multiple concussions in a little over a year have led to the end of Clint Trickett‘s football playing career.
Friday afternoon, WVU head coach Dana Holgorsen confirmed that Trickett will not play in Monday’s Liberty Bowl game against Texas A&M. That came just a week after Holgorsen indicated Trickett would be available for the postseason game. Instead, getting his second start of the season at quarterback will be Skyler Howard, who started in place of Trickett in the 37-24 win over ISU.
Subsequent to Holgorsen’s announcement, Trickett revealed that he has suffered five concussions over a period of 14 months. Because of that, Trickett has decided to retire from the game and embark on a coaching career.
I'm thankful these country roads took me home to the place I've always belonged! Let's go Mountaineers! #WVU pic.twitter.com/hMlBLaPw1B
— Clint Trickett (@CJTrickett9) December 26, 2014
Trickett, a senior who would’ve been playing in his last game at the collegiate level, also acknowledged that he hid two of the concussions from WVU’s medical staff. The player, though, absolved the trainers of any responsibility.
Trickett on hiding concussions: "In fairness to our trainers, that's on me." Says they would've held him out had they seen any indicators.
— G. Allan Taylor (@GAllanTaylor) December 26, 2014
In his two seasons as (mostly) the Mountaineers’ starter, Trickett passed for 4,890 yards, 25 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. Howard, a sophomore, has passed for 483 yards, five touchdowns and, most impressively, no interceptions since taking over for Trickett following his fifth concussion.