AUSTIN (KXAN) — Former Texas Longhorns quarterback Colt McCoy announced he’s calling it a football career.
In a video posted to YouTube, McCoy announced his retirement from football after 12 NFL seasons with Cleveland, San Francisco, Arizona, Washington and the New York Giants.
“Football’s been what I’ve done for 37 years. I gave it all I had,” McCoy said in the video.
McCoy was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist during four spectacular seasons with Texas. The unheralded QB recruit out of Tuscola, Texas, broke multiple passing records during his time with the Longhorns.
McCoy is set to join NBC Sports’ coverage of Big Ten Football this season, working as a game analyst with appearances on the Big Ten College Countdown studio show. McCoy’s first game as an analyst will be Sept. 7 when Nebraska hosts Colorado at 6:30 p.m. CT.
He played in 53 games with Texas, throwing for 13,253 passing yards and 112 touchdowns. He also rushed for 20 touchdowns from 2006 to 2009. McCoy led Texas to its most recent National Championship game appearance in the 2009 season.
McCoy injured his shoulder in the first few minutes against Alabama and wasn’t able to return to the title game due to the injury. No. 2 Texas lost to No. 1 Alabama 37-21
“Just not being able to play that game. That one stung, that will always sting,” McCoy said about the 2010 game.
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Texas quarterback Colt McCoy stands on the sidelines during the third quarter of the BCS Championship NCAA college football game against Alabama in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. McCoy left the game after being injured in the first quarter. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy walks off the field after their defeat by Alabama in the BCS Championship NCAA college football game in Pasadena, Calif., Thursday, Jan. 7, 2010. Alabama defeated Texas 37-21. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) -
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy walks off the field after the Longhorns defeated the Missouri Tigers 41-7 in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson) -
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy scrambles against the Seattle Seahawks during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 21, 2021, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) -
Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, left, talks with Steve McMichael, former Texas football player, at an inductees news conference for the 2009 National Football Foundation Hall of Fame, in New York, Tuesday, Dec. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) -
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Colt McCoy throws a pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 14, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb) -
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 29: Colt McCoy #12 of the New York Giants throws a pass during the second half against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on November 29, 2020 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) -
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 06: Colt McCoy #12 of the New York Giants speaks to the media after a 17-12 win against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 06, 2020 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) -
LANDOVER, MD – OCTOBER 06: Colt McCoy #12 of the Washington Redskins is helped to his feet during the second half against the New England Patriots at FedExField on October 6, 2019 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) -
FILE – In this Monday, Aug. 5, 2019 file photo, Washington Redskins quarterback Colt McCoy (12) looks for a receiver during the Washington Redskins NFL football training camp in Richmond, Va. Case Keenum’s foot injury could put him in danger of starting at quarterback for the Washington Redskins on Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 at the New York Giants. If Keenum can’t play, the 0-3 Redskins will either turn to Colt McCoy or ask first-round pick Dwayne Haskins to make his NFL debut. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File) -
Colt McCoy at his football camp
McCoy played in 56 NFL games, starting 36, between 2010 and 2022. McCoy didn’t play in 2023, pointing to a lingering elbow injury. He told Austin media members at his annual kids camp in June that he had opportunities to play in 2023, but “physically wasn’t able to do it.”
“I haven’t really talked much about my situation. I never like to give excuses. I’ve been fortunate enough to play 14 years. I tore my elbow pretty bad, and I’m not sure if I’m going to get over that, to be honest and that’s a tough one. But at the same time, injuries are a part of the game and I’ve certainly had my fair share. It’s almost like a hard stop. We’ll see but had many opportunities to jump back in last year week-to-week [in] a lot of places. I just physically wasn’t able to do it,” McCoy said in June.
The 25-minute retirement video takes viewers through McCoy’s entire storied football career from his early days at Jim Ned High School through his decade-long NFL career.
McCoy regularly returned to Austin during the NFL offseason, holding a summer football camp for kids. His 2024 camp benefitted Dell Children’s Medical Center.
“Dell Children’s and Ascension has been an awesome partner. We’ve raised thousands and thousands of dollars for the hospital which makes me very happy and privileged to be able to do this. Two of my favorite days of the year when all these kids come. We had about 200 campers sign up…I’m humbled that I’m able to do this and the kids show up. Most of these kids weren’t born when I was playing at UT,” McCoy said at the June camp.