Arkansas Razorbacks

Arkansas Football: Rawleigh Williams III announces retirement

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 11:42 p.m. ET

Fansided, Connor Muldowney/FanSided via Saturday Blitz

Arkansas football star running back Rawleigh Williams III has decided to retire after suffering his second neck injury.

Bad news struck Fayetteville on Monday as soon-to-be junior running back Rawleigh Williams III announced his retirement from Arkansas football. His second neck injury this spring put him over the edge and he didn't ant to jeopardize a normal future.

Williams announced the "next chapter" in his life via Arkansas' official athletic site on Monday, surprising the rest of the SEC and college football landscape.

An outside zone run to the left side. I've run that play literally hundreds of times in my college career. Maybe more.

This outside zone run to the left would be my last.

Not again. I remembered the feeling. It didn't last as long so I wasn't as nervous, but I knew something was wrong. I knew that it was similar enough to the last time.

As you can see, he described the last run of his collegiate career, ending in his second neck injury during this past spring.

It's heartbreaking to read and realize that this isn't something he necessarily wants to give up, but putting football behind him might be the smartest move for his life moving forward. He wants to live a normal life and have a family and he won't be able to do that if he keeps suffering injuries such as these.

As a sophomore, Williams III carried the rock 245 times for 1,360 yards and 12 touchdowns. He was one of the top running backs in the SEC and Bret Bielema was hoping to have him back and healthy for a big junior campaign.

However, it's always more important to respect the safety of each player and Williams III is making a smart move. The SEC won't be the same without him, but this is a very mature decision.