CONWAY, Ark. — This time of year, we think of food and football. But while we enjoy watching touchdowns and tough hits from the comfort of our homes, it’s important to remember that glory can come with a catch for those players.
Football can be violent, it can be exhausting, and it can be the best time of your life. UCA Guard Caleb Shiron is exactly the type of player you want by your side. That’s why the Bears signed the 6’5, 300-pound guard out of Cabot.
“Getting that call from Coach Boykin during the Summer saying that I was getting an offer was truly amazing," Caleb said.
The newest Bear was ready to take his game to the division one level when an ordinary play during a routine practice changed it all.
"Wasn’t sure what was going on and I looked up. There was a trainer there and he pulled me off the field and it was my first concussion ever,” he said.
Caleb went through the required concussion protocol before returning to practice a few weeks later, where yet again he suffered another concussion.
“Kind of an eye opener, like wow this is really happening again,” he recalled.
After his second concussion, Caleb did a mandated 18-day protocol until he was fully symptom-free.
“I probably didn’t have symptoms for the last 7 or 8 days. The UCA training staff is very good and they’re very cautious," he said.
Finally cleared Caleb returned to practice where the unbelievable happened.
“I think my third practice back I got hit. I was dizzy, disoriented, and wobbling,” Caleb said.
After three concussions in two months, Caleb knew it was time for a conversation.
“We’re going to give him the data we are reading and seeing. We know after you have received multiple concussions you are more prone to more concussions," said Head Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Medicine Dave Strickland.
A report released just this month from the Radiological Society of North America found that young concussion victims showed decreased cognitive function, lower test scores, and problems with concentration and memory.
“It’s hard because it’s like at one point it’s all about what football can do for you and now it’s sort of like what football can do to you," said Caleb's dad John Shiron.
With information from the experts and advice from his family, Caleb made the difficult decision to hang up his cleats for good.
“I’ve been with them a year and a half. I won’t stop being on the team I’ll just stop being out there with them. It’s what God has planned," Caleb said.
Caleb is majoring in exercise science and hopes that his story can help other athletes use the information that’s available to them to make the best decision for them.