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Zander Diamont has opted to walk away from football. AP/Press Association Images

21-year-old quarterback says he's quitting football after the season: 'I need my brain'

An Indiana University quarterback has taken the decision to protect his future.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY QUARTERBACK Zander Diamont announced Saturday that he plans to walk away from football at the end of this season because of long-term health concerns.

The 21-year-old backup, who was featured mostly as a rushing threat and sometimes drew comparisons to Johnny Manziel, never shied away from taking hits during his collegiate career.

Although he is undersized at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he refused to slide or go out of bounds before contact out of โ€œrespectโ€ for the game.

โ€œThatโ€™s just not my style, and if Iโ€™m going to go out, Iโ€™m going to go out my way,โ€ he told The Indianapolis Star. โ€œI think that for my safety and my future โ€” Iโ€™m not going to the NFL โ€” I need my brain. So that was the decision.โ€

Diamont didnโ€™t say how many concussions he has suffered, but Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson said he thought the hits had caught up to him.

โ€œOne of his gifts is his ability to run, but heโ€™s a small guy and he plays with a lot of heart and a lot of courage,โ€ Wilson told The Star.

I think some of those hits are adding up on him.โ€

Indianaโ€™s football team has been up and down, finishing its regular season at 6-6. Diamont said that after the upcoming bowl game, he will graduate over the summer and pursue a career in โ€œentertainment.โ€

โ€œEntertainment industry is where Iโ€™m planning on going but weโ€™ll see,โ€ he said. โ€œI mean, who knows whatโ€™s gonna happen. You never know.โ€

He added, โ€œThis game is life, and I couldnโ€™t be more grateful for the growth itโ€™s brought me.โ€

- Emmett Knowlton, Business Insider

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    Mute Camroc
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    Nov 29th 2016, 11:17 AM

    Fair play to the lad but with all due respect, a backup from Indiana was likely on very few NFL radars. Kind of like the time Andy Cole โ€œretiredโ€ from the English team.

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    Mute ryan o sullivan
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    Nov 29th 2016, 11:43 AM

    Andy cole the 3rd top scorer in the premier league history ? He never got a fair crack for England so left. They should have used him more

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    Mute Limรณn Madrugada
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    Nov 29th 2016, 12:16 PM

    Maybe he should transition to rugby โ€ฆ

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    Mute Spoddgy
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    Nov 29th 2016, 12:30 PM

    Ya rugby speaking of concussions

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    Mute Limรณn Madrugada
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    Nov 29th 2016, 6:29 PM

    Maybe you should transition to irony

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    Mute John S
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    Nov 30th 2016, 11:08 PM

    Being compared to Johnny Manziel is not good

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