North Carolina State quarterback Grayson McCall was able to move his arms and acknowledge the crowd after a scary hit to the head left him motionless on the field. It was a gesture of hope during a somber moment of uncertainty.
However, the play in question was not even reviewed for targeting and play resumed within minutes.
Grayson McCall, a sixth-year graduate transfer, made his third start for the Wolfpack on Saturday. Wake Forest traveled to Raleigh for the ACC contest and opened scoring with a field goal.
N.C. State took over on offense. McCall led a 65-yard drive on six plays down to the 19-yard-line. He took the snap on 3rd-and-11 and dropped back to pass. None of his receivers were open downfield.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound dual-threat quarterback tried to make something happen with his legs but as McCall neared the first down marker, a trio of Demon Deacons hit him hard from three different angles.
It was instantly clear that McCall, who has a history of serious head injuries, was not well.
His helmet went flying. His teammates cleared the area around him and called for help. Medical personnel immediately rushed over from the sideline.
The medical team is out for Grayson McCall. Entire NC State team has taken a knee on the sidelines.
— Cory Smith (@RCorySmith) October 5, 2024
Really scary scene here at Carter-Finley. The car is coming out now. pic.twitter.com/j4zaehiM52
Meanwhile, Wake Forest returned a fumble 88 yards to the opposite two-yard-line. The play was still live.
(You can watch the full sequence of events at your own discretion HERE.)
I, personally, have never seen that happen before; where athletic trainers and team doctors did not show any regard for the game itself. They ran onto the field to help McCall before a whistle even blew the play dead. His parents followed closely behind. It was that bad.
McCall left the field on a backboard. Fortunately, he was able to hug his mom and dad and gestured to the crowd before his exit into the tunnel.
.@PackFootball QB Grayson McCall carted off during game vs. Wake Forest. @WFMY #wfmysports pic.twitter.com/JDJPrtKFmJ
— Brian Hall (@bhallwfmy) October 5, 2024
Just seconds later, the Demon Deacons took over on offense and scored a touchdown on two plays.
ACC officials did not look to see whether any of the Wake Forest defenders committed a targeting foul during the three-way hit on McCall. Although the quarterback lowered his head to brace for impact, it appeared as though all three tacklers did the same. At least two of them made contact to McCall’s head with the crowns of their helmets. There is also an argument to be made that they launched.
None of those possible fouls were even reviewed. Right or wrong, the play was deemed legal.