ECU LB Grove ends career due to medical reasons

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) - East Carolina says linebacker Jeremy Grove is ending his playing career because of medical reasons.

Grove announced his decision Friday saying, “I feel it is better for my health and future to stop playing football.”

Team spokesman Tom McClellan announced Grove’s decision Friday.

Grove played through injuries to both shoulders, and had surgery on his left shoulder after the 2011 season. He was limited during his junior year in 2013 by recurring neck pain and nerve irritation.

He had a team-best seven tackles in his final game, the Beef ’O’ Brady’s Bowl victory over Ohio. He had 24 games with at least five stops.

Coach Ruffin McNeill says Grove “played the game the way it is supposed to be played.”