David Ash played the most glamorous position at one of college football's high-profile programs, but he apparently paid a stiff price for it.
The Texas Longhorns quarterback has left the sport because of lingering concussion symptoms, Texas Coach Charlie Strong announced Wednesday. "His health is our major concern," the coach told The Associated Press.
Ash started the Longhorns' first game of the season against North Texas. According to The Dallas Morning News, he absorbed several hard hits in the game and told trainers late that night he was dizzy and had headaches.
He has not played since.
After starting 12 games in 2012, Ash suffered a concussion in a 2013 game at Brigham Young University and missed 10 games. He returned for one game during that season but left with what the school deemed a head injury.
Ash will remain with the program to help the younger quarterbacks, Strong told outlets.
Research has linked head trauma in football to chronic brain damage. Earlier this season, Connecticut quarterback Casey Cochran called it quits after suffering multiple concussions.
Ash, who threw 31 touchdown passes at Texas, received a show of support from at least one high-profile Texas alum.