Medical condition likely ends McCoy’s career
Due to an undisclosed medical condition, Georgia Tech defensive lineman Denzel McCoy will not play for the Yellow Jackets this season, and most likely ever.
“He’s probably finished career-wise,” coach Paul Johnson said after Tech’s first practice Wednesday. “It’s disappointing for Denzel, but we’ve got to look for his well being and his health, and it’s just not worth the risk.”
Johnson said McCoy, a redshirt freshman from Northview High, will retain his scholarship and help the team as a student assistant. After his condition was discovered last year as McCoy entered Tech, he practiced with the team but did not take part in contact drills. He practiced in the spring under the same conditions and trained with the team in strength and conditioning drills.
“You’re disappointed for him, he’s such a great kid,” Johnson said. “He’s gotta great attitude and we just tell him, ‘Hey, there’s bigger things than football.’”
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
57 comments Add your comment
Rduck
August 4th, 2011
8:18 am
Hate it that he never got a chance to show his talents on the Flats. Keep your head up young man. Get that degree and set yourself up for life. Good to have a coach and program that looks after their kids the way CPJ and staff did here. God bless you Denzel and keep representing GT for life…
WnE
August 4th, 2011
9:07 am
Good luck in all your future endeavors Mr McCoy and make sure you take advantage of your education both in the Classroom and on the field, learn what you can and you might be able to have a Coaching Career someday if that’s what you choose to do.
Sorry to hear about this setback, but remember life is a long winding journey, and this setback is just one small bump-in-the-road.
Keep your head up and stay positive and enjoy the rest of your college career.
bulldogmaniac
August 4th, 2011
9:26 am
Comming from a Bulldog fan…………..Sorry to hear that your football career is over young man.
Best of luck!
DawginLex
August 4th, 2011
10:15 am
Tough break. Hey, at least he still gets to be around the program.
Hopefully he can learn from this and become a stronger person.
Tough breaks define and create your character. Sounds like he is responding the right way. Glad he has a coach that didn’t throw him under the bus(I’m talking to you Saban)
DawgInaTruck
August 4th, 2011
1:15 pm
Sad to hear that for the kid but you have to feel good about his future as a whole. Best of luck to him personally, scholastically and professionally. You don’t have to be an ahlete to make an impact.
GeorgiaDawg
August 4th, 2011
3:47 pm
Tough break for a kid who sounds like a class act. Keep up the good work, get your degree from a first class school (Yes, I mean GT) and enjoy your college days. Good job by CPJ on the scholarship deal as well.
crackbaby
August 4th, 2011
4:40 pm
Tough to take away playing football from a 19 or 20 y.o. kid. Hope he finds another passion and gives it his all.
There are some kids his age coming back from Iraq and Afghanistan in far worse shape. Prayers of health and strength to our young people. As CPJ said, much more to life than football.