Jerry Kill breaks down in heartbreaking retirement press conference
By Josh Hill
Minnesota Gophers head coach Jerry Kill retired on Wednesday due to health concerns, and it was heartbreaking in so many ways.
Minnesota Gophers football head coach Jerry Kill has been dealing with seizures for all of his life, but they’ve been brought to the forefront of his story in college football due to his endless struggle recently. It’s a struggle that has cost him his career and forced him to stop doing the only thing he’s ever known — coaching.
Kill announced his retirement on Wednesday, effective immediately, due to his struggle with seizures and it’s effect on his family and health. His exit press conference was one of the most soul crushingly depressing things football fans will ever watch as Kill sobbed his way through the hardest announcement of his life — something you could tell he doesn’t want to do but has to.
KILL: “Last night when I walked off the practice field, I feel like a part of me died.” #Gophers
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
KILL: “you all know about the struggles.I did my best to change but some of those struggles have returned. I don’t want to cheat the game."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
KILL: “I went as hard as I could, I was on a mission, probably part of my problem is I hit my head against the wall for too many years."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
Kill admitted that the decision to retire was prompted by more seizures that he suffered in recent days. He also noted that it was his family and not doctors that motivated him to make this incredibly hard decision.
KILL: “I’ve had seizures [again].” #Gophers
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
KILL: “I still want to coach. I was at practice yesterday after having two seizures…gave it one last shot” #Gophers
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
KILL: “I’ve never listened to a doctor, ever…but I want to listen this time. Because [my family] needs me more down the road."
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) October 28, 2015
KILL: “I went through a bad situation two years ago and I’m headed right back there. I haven’t slept.” #Gophers
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
KILL: “I hate losing, I feel like I’m losing today. It’s an empty feeling.” #Gophers
— Aj Mansour (@AjKFAN) October 28, 2015
KILL: “[I told the players] you can’t do football forever…i told them I loved them, I care about them."
— KFAN1003 (@KFAN1003) October 28, 2015
This is one of the most heartbreaking things we will see in all of sports this year. Kill is in no way ready to walk away from football but he has to — that’s not an easy thing to wrestle with. It’s also not lost on those in college football or those watching Kill unwillingly give up all he has ever known.
Imagine having to stop the only thing you've ever done. This is heartbreaking.
— Justin Gaard (@Gaardsy) October 28, 2015
It’s yet to be seen if Kill will ever coach again, but there is hope that he can return to a sideline somewhere at some time. This is something that few can relate to, but it’s something that Kill will receive endless support in as he’s one of the most well respected coaches in the Big Ten and all of college football.