Florida football defensive back [autotag]Dakota Mitchell[/autotag] says it’s time to hang up his cleats and medically retire.
The sophomore has been dealing with a birth defect that’s caused severe back pain throughout his football career, dating back to his Pop Warner and high school football days.
Mitchell was recruited from Lakeland High in 2021 and the coaching staff carried high expectations for the hybrid safety. His back injuries became an anchor holding him back from reaching his full potential.
Mitchell wrote a teary-eyed post on social media to announce his leave.
“I knew this day would come soon, but not so soon,” Mitchell said. “I always questioned why my back was hurting. After extensive treatment, they found that I was born with a condition causing the pain.”
Mitchell trained his whole life to be a football star, but he says the Lord has chosen him a different path.
“I have been playing the game of football since I was five years old,” Mitchell said. “Growing up, football was all I knew and what pushed me to be the best version of myself. The game has been a blessing to this day.”
See Dakota Mitchell’s statement here.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cw8PXMUx8tf/
“I know God has other blessings for me with a different route and plan,” Mitchell said. “The game of football will forever live in me, and I will always bleed orange and blue. Go Gators forever!”
Because of his injury, Mitchell never gained enough reps to become a normal part of the cornerback rotation.
Mitchell thanked the University of Florida and everyone who supported him through his many years of playing football.
Head coach Billy Napier and the rest of the Florida Gators will keep preparing for the rest of the 2023 season. The team will hold its home opener Saturday against the McNeese State Cowboys at 7:30 p.m. EDT on ESPNU.
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