Northwestern starting RB retiring immediately after diagnosed with cervical stenosis

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Bad news out of Evanston: Northwestern tailback Jeremy Larkin is retiring from football, effective immediately, because of a neck injury.

Larkin recently was diagnosed with cervical stenosis, according to the school’s news release, and while the condition is not life-threatening, it will prevent him from playing football.

“Football has been a lifelong passion and it has been a process to reconcile the fact I won’t be on that field again, given I’ve played this game since I was 5 years old,” Larkin said in a statement. “I’m extremely appreciative of the Northwestern sports medicine and athletic training staffs for uncovering this condition, and for my coaches and the medical staff for always putting my health first.

“I came to this university to engage at the absolute highest level on the field and in the classroom, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue one of those while supporting my teammates from the sideline.”

Larkin is Northwestern’s top skill-position player. He has 346 of the Wildcats’ 351 net rushing yards, five of their seven rushing touchdowns and 19 of their 91 receptions — second on the team to wide receiver Flynn Nagel’s 20.

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