Official: Peanut Whitehead's football career is over

by Mike Rutherford on Nov 15, 2007 6:53 PM EST in News

Just unbelievably sad. Arguably the highest profile defensive recruit ever to sign with the University of Louisville will never play football again.

Team officials confirmed today that sophomore defensive end Deantwan "Peanut" Whitehead has congenital spinal stenosis, the same disorder that ended the career of starting right guard Mike Donoghue earlier this season.

Whitehead, who chose Louisville over Alabama and Auburn on national signing day in 2006, was named a Freshman All-American by The Sporting News after he started ten games and made four sacks for the Orange Bowl champions. In nine games this season he had made 25 tackles and two sacks.

Truly, truly awful news for a young man with enormous potential. Keep him in your thoughts.

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It's about Deantwan

Never mind that it's another team loss. I just hope that he can find something very productive to do, be it coaching or whatever, with his life. He's a good guy - that is just unbelievable.

by BR on Nov 15, 2007 7:21 PM EST reply actions

Awful

That is so awful. I feel so bad for him. God. The poor guy -- imagine devoting so much time to something that you love and are so good at, and then having it taken away just like that.

Awful.

by CardsFan922 on Nov 15, 2007 7:26 PM EST reply actions

I have congenital spinal stenosis

but they didn't have the MRI's or CAT scans back when I played

so now I just hurt-- a lot

Best they stop now to avoid hurting/disability from age 30 on

by frankpos on Nov 15, 2007 7:35 PM EST reply actions

Very, very sad news indeed

What can you even say? My heart goes out to this young man, and I hope he is able to make the best of this situation.

by louisville lisa on Nov 15, 2007 9:46 PM EST reply actions

terrible..

What a shame.. thoughts and prayers go out to him.

by TheMrMeade on Nov 15, 2007 10:26 PM EST reply actions

terrible....

My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family through these difficult times. I know it has to be hard to give up something that he loved so much, never to play again.

-Dustin

by Civicman86 on Nov 16, 2007 7:39 AM EST reply actions

WAHOOO

BEAT USF!!!!!!

by Blocky on Nov 16, 2007 8:35 AM EST reply actions

peanut

anyone hear of any news that might be honoring him or Donoghue during the senior night stuff or during the Rutgers game at all? Itd be fitting to honor them with all the other seniors to celebrate all the games theyve given to the university and the fans

by GoCards5 on Nov 16, 2007 11:31 AM EST reply actions