Wisconsin Football Player Unexpectedly Announces His Retirement

The Wisconsin football program was shocked to learn that redshirt junior Clay Cundiff would not be on the Badgers fall camp roster. His absence caused many to speculate why, and now we finally have our answer.

After back-to-back years suffering season-ending injuries, the Kansas native has decided to hang up his cleats for good. In a social media post, Cundiff announced his retirement from football in a heartfelt goodbye to his friends, teammates, coaches, and everyone who helped him along the way.

Thank You, Madison♥️ pic.twitter.com/nsGi23rROL

— Clay Cundiff (@clay_cundiff10) August 13, 2023

“After weeks of difficult contemplation, I have decided to medically retire from the game of football. I have proudly put pads and a jersey on since first grade, but now my body is begging to hang up my cleats. In my 15 years on the field, I have endured multiple season-ending injuries, grueling surgeries, long hospital stays, many broken bones, concussions, slipped discs, you name it…But I cannot keep up with the physical demands of the game anymore. I only have this one body, and it is now my priority to protect it for my future.

Thank you to Badger Nation for your love and support these past four years! Wisconsin has been very good to me, and I am forever proud to be a Badger!”

Wisconsin Football Lost a Talented Tight End in Clay Cundiff 

While playing for the Wisconsin football team, Clay Cundiff caught 12 passes for 228 yards (19 YPC) and three touchdowns.

The 6-foot-3, 236-pound tight end flashed moments of playmaking ability during his Badgers career, but injuries never allowed him to reach his full potential. It’s a shame because it looked like Cundiff could have been a seam-stretching pass-catcher for the Wisconsin offense.

He finished the 2022 season with a high quality (75.9) grade by PFF, the highest among Wisconsin football tight ends.

I give him credit for knowing when to hang it up — it’s tough to listen to our bodies, especially in a situation like this. Best of luck to Clay Cundiff in whatever comes next and thank you for your contributions on the field!

Luke Fickell has some question marks to sort through at the position without his top pass-catching TE.

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