Brad Shelton has grown up a Hokie football fan, and when he had the opportunity to walk on the team that he has watched all his life, he jumped at it. At 6-3, 365, he helped lead the Blacksburg Bruins to a 3A state football title in 2016.
Over the past six months, he has changed his eating habits and hit the gym hard, losing almost 70 pounds. But a recurring neck problem has now forced him to step away from the game that he loves.
By Twitter on Monday, he said he had made the tough decision to give up on football.
“After long talks and consideration with my family, I’ve decided to end my football career due to on-going neck issues. I had to make this decision based on what’s best for my future and health,” he said.
While he never got to step foot on Lane Stadium during a regular season game, he is glad for the opportunity that he was given.
“I got to live my dream for five weeks and wouldn’t change it for the world,” he said.
Shelton was second team all-3A West Region last season and had been a stable figure in the middle of the defensive line for the Bruins with 55 total tackles.