Florida State honors scholarship for football commit that had to quit
Florida State head football coach Jimbo Fisher honored four-star Seminoles commit Richy Klepal’s scholarship, even though the high school player had to quit football this month because he suffered his fifth concussion.
Fisher called Plant High School head coach Robert Weiner with the news. Then Weiner told Klepal.
“I just got a call that they are going to honor my scholarship, which is a huge weight off my shoulders,” Klepal said. “I am just more than grateful.”
Klepal sustained his fifth concussion a few weeks ago in a game against local rival Tampa Jesuit High School. So he threw in the towel.
“There wasn’t really a choice or a decision,” Klepal said. “My doctor was telling me, unless I want to take a risk of dying, it would be in my best interest (to quit). I love football more than anything, but my mental health is a little more important.”
Klepal went to get an MRI as a precaution.
“I got an MRI and it showed that I have a hemorrhage in my brain,” Klepal said. “The MRI was an optional thing. I just thought that since I had five (concussions), it would be a good time to get it. If I hadn’t gotten it, it could have been a month, and I could have passed my impact test and been back out there. God forbid, if something could have happened, I could have been out there laying on the field dead.”
Klepal clearly made the right decision to call an end to his short football career.
He saved his life and now he gets a free college education, thanks to the kindness of Jimbo Fisher.
Thank you Coach Fisher for giving me another reason to be a proud Florida State Seminole. The young men that you are training to be good atheletes and furthermore, strong leaders will all benefit from your act of decency & compassion.
Jimbo is a class act!
That is outstanding! Exellent move coach! From sports fans everywhere, you did the right thing!
Thats really cool!