Northwestern starting running back Jeremy Larkin has other things to focus on, and they go above and beyond preparing for Michigan’s vaunted defense this Saturday. Larkin, the focal point of the Wildcats offense, has retired from football, effective immediately. He’ll now begin the process of transitioning to life after football.
Larkin was recently diagnosed with cervical stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck. “The condition is not life threatening but prevents continued participation in football,” reads the statement just sent out by the school only minutes ago.
“Football has been a lifelong passion and it has been a process to reconcile the fact I won’t be on that field again, given I’ve played this game since I was five years old” reads a statement attributed to Larkin.
“I’m extremely appreciative of the Northwestern sports medicine and athletic training staffs for uncovering this condition, and for my coaches and the medical staff for always putting my health first. I came to this University to engage at the absolute highest level on the field and in the classroom, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue one of those while supporting my teammates from the sideline.”
A statement from Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald reads:
“This is heartbreaking because I see every day how much Jeremy loves the game, loves his teammates, and loves to compete, but this is the absolute best possible outcome for him. The discovery of this condition allowed Jeremy and his family to make an informed decision for his long-term health and well-being.”
“For those of us who have known Jeremy Larkin since his high school days, his future is exceptionally bright. I can’t wait to see the impact he makes in our world.”
Through the first three games of the season, Larkin, who is just a sophomore, ran for 346 yards and five touchdowns on a 4.8 yards per carry average. He leads the team in rushes with 72, the next closest in this category is John Moten IV, who has just 12. If Moten is to be the next feature back, well, there isn’t much cause for optimism, as he averages only 1.8 yards per rush.
When Fitzgerald spoke to the media at his weekly news conference today, he revealed that Larkin will begin his coaching career as a student assistant coach. Jeremy Larkin, who totaled 618 yards from scrimmage and 5 TD last fall as a backup to Justin Jackson, is not one of the players who was scheduled to talk to the media today.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
Follow him on Twitter, Instagram, Sound Cloud and YouTube. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to any and all of his