Ole Miss cornerback Tee Shepard made it further than most football players with a hearing impairment, but Shepard, who missed all of last season with a toe injury, has decided to give up football and focus on completing his college degree.
"The injuries and challenges I have overcome the last few years have taken away my love for playing the game of football," he said in a statement. "I want to thank Rebel Nation for the support they have shown me in my time here. I want to especially thank Coach [Hugh] Freeze for showing me what unconditional love is like.
"I will always love this team and cheer them on as they compete for a championship."
Shepard started losing his hearing at a young age but battled through it to play football. He was ranked No. 90 in the ESPN 150 coming out of high school. Then, after a brief stint at Notre Dame and one year in junior college, he wound up at Ole Miss.
This season, his first at the FBS level, has not gone as he had hoped. Shepard has only two tackles and one pass break-up through the team's first five games.
"We respect his decision and wish him the very best," Freeze said. "He will always be a part of our family, and we hope he continues to use his platform to impact others."