Indiana junior quarterback Ziander Diamont will play his final football game in Indiana’s bowl game, whichever one that may end up being. Diamont says he is taking precautions already to protect his long-term health and says he will need his brain in the future, a sentiment that seems to becoming more and more prevalent as awareness and education about brain injuries and football continue to evolve.
“That’s just not my style and if I’m going to go out, I’m going to go out my way,” Diamont said after Indiana’s victory over Purdue. “I think that for my safety and my future – I’m not going to the NFL – I need my brain. So that was the decision.”
Diamont’s size and dual-threat style has left him prone to rough hits as he runs the ball often with a 174-lb body. According to The Indy Star, Diamont confessed to suffering “a lot” of concussions during his time in Bloomington and in high school. Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson conceded those hits may have taken a toll on him over time, which is one of the concerns when it comes to football players and CTE.
Unless Diamont changes his mind, this means Indiana will have one extra spot on the depth chart at quarterback to fill than initially expected for head coach Kevin Wilson. Diamont is expected to graduate in the summer and took part in the senior day activities on Saturday.