Notre Dame wide receiver Corey Robinson announced Wednesday that he has decided to leave the team and stop playing football.
Robinson’s decision comes in lieu of his second concussion, which he sustained during the firstweek of spring practice. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior nearly retired from the sport in January following Notre Dame’s loss to Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl, but at the time opted to stick around for his senior year.
“After much contemplation and prayer, I have decided not to continue playing football due to multiple concussions,” he said in a prepared statement on Wednesday. “I couldn’t have come to this difficult personal decision without the incredible support from so many within the Notre Dame football program. I am extremely thankful to Coach Kelly and his staff for the life-changing opportunity to play football at the greatest University in the world. I will continue to help our team as a student assistant and look forward to a great senior year.”
Senior Corey Robinson will not play for the Irish in 2016, but will continue to serve as a leader for the program. pic.twitter.com/gua4JOJWot
— Notre Dame Football (@NDFootball) June 15, 2016
Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly spoke kindly of Robinson in a statement following Robinson’s, mentioning his commitment to everything he does and his desire to finish his four-year career on the field.
“While that won’t happen in the manner Corey initially intended, he will remain involved with the program on a day-to-day basis as a student assistant,” Kelly said. “He sets a remarkable example for all of our players — not only how to represent yourself on and off the field but also how working hard through adversity can lead to tremendous success.”
Robinson appeared in 38 games for the Irish in three seasons, hauling in 65 receptions for 896 yards and seven touchdowns. In 2015, the San Antonio-native struggled, notching 16 receptions for 200 yards and a single touchdown in 12 games.
The loss of Robinson is another hit for an already depleted receiving corp after the losses of Will Fuller, Amir Carlisle and Chris Brown. Notre Dame will depend on Torii Hunter, Jr. and a crop of young talent to pick up the slack come fall.
