Hokies safety Michael Cole talks about his decision to give up football
Hokies safety Michael Cole announced yesterday that he’ll no longer play football because of the neck injury he suffered against Florida State in November.
The former Cave Spring High standout sat down with a few media folks to discuss the injury and his decision on Friday. Here’s some of what he had to say:
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Q: How hard of a decision was this to give up football?
Cole: “It’s definitely really been a hard decision. I think my family and the coaches supporting me has really helped. Their recommendations have really just led to this decision.”
Q: When you looked at the medical things involved, would it have been impossible to come back?
Cole: “Yeah. There was definitely a lot of grim circumstances, I guess, for coming back, a lot of high risk. And it was probably the best decision for my future.”
Q: Had you come to grips with this a while ago?
Cole: “Definitely when it happened it was pretty traumatic, pretty scary for myself and my family. But this decision has kind of been a process. My faith has played a huge role in it in kind of coming to terms with everything, what I’m going to do next, because football has been such a huge role in my life. But it’s definitely been a process and I’m slowly getting there in coming to terms with it.”
Q: What are you going to do with the football team next year?
Cole: “Not really sure yet, but I would definitely like to be on the medical side of things. I’ll probably talk to Mike [Goforth], our trainer, and probably the team doctor and see if I can get into something with them, because that’s kind of what I want to do later in the future.”
Q: You’re a biological sciences major. Did this pique your interest more in the medical side of things?
Cole: “I guess you could say that, yeah. Definitely talking to Mike, being able to stay with the team in this kind of aspect is exciting for me. So hopefully we can still make something work.”
Q: What was it like to not be able to play the last few games?
Cole: “It was tough. It was really tough. Because I felt like I was definitely starting to improve throughout the season. Kind of got thrown in there early, and I kind of felt like I got better as the season went on. So for me to go down like that, so sudden, it kind of hurt me mentally. Because I felt like I was improving and getting better. So to sit on the sidelines for the last three games was tough.”
Q: What happened on the play against Florida State?
Cole: “I’ve looked at the film and I don’t really see anything incredibly different. It was just a routine play, a routine tackle is what it looks like to me. But I guess just the way things happened, it didn’t really turn out the best. But that’s just the way it is, I guess.”
Q: You’ve had stingers before?
Cole: “Yeah, I’ve had a series of stingers in the past. So I guess I was battling with that. My freshman year when I first came in, I had some stinger problems. And whether that contributed or not, I’m not sure. But I’ve been doing the best I can now.”
Q: You had surgery earlier, right?
Cole: “Yeah, I had surgery on Jan. 2 just to relieve some of the pressure. I had some nerve discomfort from the injury. [A doctor] in Roanoke did the surgery and just kind of cleaned some stuff up and I’m feeling better now. I have better range of motion and stuff. I’m kind of starting to feel back to normal a little bit.”
Q: Did you know during that surgery you wouldn’t be playing again?
Cole: “Right. Yeah. At that point I think the decision was kind of made. There were kind of two routes. I could have had that surgery or I could have had a fusion, a double-level fusion, which was really ill-advised by all the doctors and everybody. So that kind of made the decision there a little bit. So I went ahead and got this surgery done to kind of relieve some of the pain and pressure from the nerve.”
Q: Are there any long-term effects?
Cole: “That’s a possibility but that’s a possibility for anybody as they age. In football, a lot of people have problems anyways so whether this contributes to it or not, I’m not really sure. I think definitely getting this surgery hopefully will buy me some time if I do have problems. We have kind of just see.”
Q: How much will you miss football?
Cole: “Probably too much. I already miss it now and we’re not even in season. So I feel like when we start rolling around, putting the pads on in the spring or the fall, I think that’ll probably be a tough time for me. But it’s just something I have to deal with.”
Q: Can you remember a time when you weren’t playing football?
Cole: “It would go so far back. When I was like real, real little. And it’s been there ever since, so it’s definitely going to be different. It’s going to be hard. But it has to end eventually for everybody. Unfortunately, a little premature for me. But I think I’ll be OK.”
Cole said his career highlights are the interceptions he made against Clemson and Duke. The Clemson one, if you remember, was a circus catch. Here it is:
February 15, 2013 - 11:51 AM
A long life ahead of him, wish him nothing but the best. Good football memories I’m sure but there is so much more in your future son, enjoy.
Poor kid. Looks like he’s come to grips with it, but I know it’s got to be hard and will be harder when spring practice roles around.
Best of luck to Cole. Who knows, this might turn out to be a blessing. He might be more inspired to pursue the medical side of athletics, or just PT or Exercise Science or any other areas of medicine. Football doesn’t last forever. At least he got to ‘live the dream’ for a while, and he acquitted himself well when he did. Great interception, by the way.
I love you Michael — Dad
Looks like he has some great family support. Way to go Dad! I know this has been hard on you and his mother too! Glad he is safe and looking to the future!! I’m keeping this whole family in my prayers as they continue to heal and deal with this situation.
Michael , you are awesome!!! Don’t ever forget that. Hang in there. God has another plan for you. Trust in Him.
Great to see Michaels’ dad post the “I love you”. Some dads can’t say that to their children privately. I thank the Lord that Michael wasn’t paralyzed. I was watching the game and almost immediately prayed for him. The right decision was made and we all hope to see Michael doing some wonderful things with the education he gets at Tech.
Sad to hear about this Michael and family! I know we haven’t heard the last about you. It may not be football related but you’ve got some more great accomplishments ahead of you! That’s just the type of man you are! Good luck! The Anderson Family (Philip)
Awesome post from #4. God has another plan for Michael.
Good luck Michael, all the best from now on!
bfi – that’s the ONLY thing you have ever posted that made ANY sense.
Little off subject, Andy, but how can our athletic department operate with the two head people unhealthy and not working ???? Weaver and McCloskey need to go ahead and retire due to health and start drawing the state retirement, and with the salsry they have been paid over the past few years, it is not like they are being kicked to the curb. Where is Steger ??? Is he paying any attention to the athletic program ???
Michael, it is always humbling when a young man goes down in a sporting endeavor. This should remind us all of the sacrifices that can be demanded of someone from the game. Thank you for your contributions, we will all be pulling for you. Serious bidness, this game we love so much, but life awaits you! Have a long and happy one.