Plant senior offensive lineman Richy Klepal addressed is teammates today and delivered some devastating news.
Because of lingering concussion problems, Klepal, a Florida State commit, will be forced to give up the sport he loves so much.
"My doctor told me he had a retired NFL player who had 10 concussions and my brain looked worse than his," Klepal said.
That made the decision to walk away from football, though a very tough one, an easy one considering the consequences.
Klepal met with Plant head coach Robert Weiner on Thursday and then told his teammates about his decision to quit football.
"Richy was very emotional and he told the team what it honor it was to be a leader on the team and he cried his way through the whole thing while he explained he can't play football anymore," Panthers head coach Robert Weiner said.
One of Plant's senior captains, Klepal suffered a concussion two weeks ago during a practice as the Panthers prepared for their game against John Curtis Christian in New Orleans. He did not play in that game and hasn't played since.
A follow up visit to the doctor revealed a serious condition.
"It wasn't a matter of the number of concussions he's had," Weiner said. "It was a hemorrhage in his brain, that he is clear and out of the woods now, but that could be a life or death situation if he gets hit there again."
Klepal did receive some good news while delivering the bad news to FSU coach Jimbo Fisher.
"Jimbo told Richy that he 100% still has a scholarship to FSU," Weiner said. "That was a such a bright spot on what has been a roller coaster ride of a day."
And Klepal still has a spot on the Plant team.
"Without a doubt, I want to help the team as much as I can," he said.