Cincinnati defensive end Walter Stewart may have to give up football, but he will always support his teammates. (Rob Leifheit-US PRESSWIRE)
University of Cincinnati defensive end Walter Stewart’s career could be over.
Coach Butch Jones announced that the senior won’t return this season and may not play football again. X-rays taken after an Oct. 13 game against Fordham revealed a congenital first cervical spine abnormality.
Stewart missed the Bearcats’ last two games while seeking additional medical opinions.
“I know football means the world to him,” Jones said, according to Cincinnati.com. “My deal with him is I’m going to be there with him as long as he allows me to be there for him. I told him we’ll be together for a long, long time and he can be on my coaching staff. He can start the process of being a coach if that’s what he chooses to do.”
Stewart had made himself into an NFL prospect, according to ProFootballTalk.com. His 17.5 career sacks rank eighth in school history.
“He’s just kind of deciding what he wants to do with his life if playing football is not there,” Jones said.
