Gators offensive lineman Noah Banks medically retires from football
Florida Gators offensive lineman Noah Banks is calling it a career, as he has announced his retirement from football due to a medical condition.
"As most of you already know, I’ve been living with epilepsy for about 6 or 7 years now," Banks shared in an Instagram post. "For several years after my first 2 episodes, I didn’t experience anything else."
"Unfortunately within the past year and a half or so it’s seemed to come back around. I sat out this past spring and got cleared in the summer to come back. Unfortunately earlier this week after a normal practice, I had another minor episode."
Banks continued by sharing his love of the game, but taking care of his condition must come before the sport.
"I have loved everything about this sport and the University of Florida, because it introduced me to so many new people and life experiences that I never would have gotten otherwise. Earlier this week I made the decision to medically retire and hang it up. Thank you to everyone that I’ve met through this sport and continue to meet because I wouldn’t have changed it for the world !!"
Losing Banks stings for Florida, as he was expected to contribute as a primary depth piece on the young and inexperienced offensive line. The redshirt senior and junior college product played in 12 games for Florida last season following his transfer from Iowa Western College.
Now, the Gators will be forced to rely on several young an inexperienced players in the case of an injury to a starting offensive lineman. Expect guys like redshirt junior Tanner Rowell - a former walk-on who received a scholarship this past week - sophomore T.J. Moore, redshirt freshman Richard Gouraige, and true freshman Ethan White to serve as depth at guard.
