Florida offensive lineman Noah Banks medically retires

Football

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Image Credit: GatorsFB / Twitter

Florida Gators redshirt senior offensive lineman Noah Banks will never put the pads on again. Banks, who has battled medical issues for several years and had been sidelined for months due to epilepsy, took to Instagram on Sunday afternoon to announce he would no longer be playing the game.

“As most of you already know I’ve been living with epilepsy for about 6 or 7 years now,” Banks wrote. “For several years after my first 2 episodes I didn’t experience anything else. Unfortunately within the past year and a half or so it’s seemed to come back around. I sat out this past spring and got cleared in the summer to come back. Unfortunately earlier this week after a normal practice I had another minor episode. I have loved everything about this sport and the University of Florida because it introduced me to so many new people and life experiences that I never would have gotten otherwise.”

He continued: “Earlier this week I made the decision to medically retire and hang it up. Thank you to everyone that I’ve met through this sport and continue to meet because I wouldn’t have changed it for the world!”

Banks saw action in 12 games for Florida in 2018 and was a key piece for the Gators both on special teams and as a backup offensive lineman, earning his first career start against Idaho.

As the season wore on, Banks continued to work toward being named a full-time starter and was showing potential. Unfortunately, while training for the Florida’s matchup against Michigan in the Peach Bowl, Banks had another epileptic episode. It kept him out of the game, and he was not able to participate in spring practice either as he remained sidelined.

As fall camp rolled around, Banks was expected to return and did for the first practice. He worked with the second team along the offensive line and looked to be fitting back into the rotation. However, Banks was limited in the days that followed after another episode, leading to his medical retirement.

The Gators’ depth at the offensive line takes a hit, and they will have to see someone step up to fill his void — likely one of the team’s five true freshmen offensive linemen. Banks will remain on scholarship for his final year at the University of Florida.