Chomping at Bits: Florida’s Noah Banks retires from football after epilepsy episode

Chomping at Bits comes stocked with the best Florida Gators links and news we can find, and maybe some other stuff. It should be daily again starting today!

Florida’s Noah Banks retiring from football: In a short and heartfelt post on Instagram on Sunday, Banks explained that after suffering an epileptic episode during practice last week, he will be medically retiring from football.

As most of you already know i’ve been living with epilepsy for about 6 or 7 years now. For several years after my first 2 episodes I didn’t experience anything else. Unfortunately within the past year and a half or so it’s seemed to come back around. I sat out this past spring and got cleared in the summer to come back. Unfortunately earlier this week after a normal practice i had another minor episode.

I have loved everything about this sport and the University of Florida because it introduced me to so many new people and life experiences that i never would have gotten otherwise. Earlier this week I made the decision to medically retire and hang it up. Thank you to everyone that i’ve met through this sport and continue to meet because i wouldn’t have changed it for the world !!

Banks had previously suffered an epileptic episode in the run-up to Florida’s appearance in last year’s Peach Bowl, and — despite near-full participation in Florida’s offseason conditioning program — had only been cleared to return to practice for fall camp until just weeks ago. Banks, who signed with Florida as a junior college prospect in 2017 and played in 12 games a year ago, stood to be a significant reserve on Florida’s offensive line, likely as a swing tackle, but his retirement leaves offensive line coach John Hevesy with one fewer veteran to trust.

Trinity Thomas makes U.S Senior National Team: Sam will have more on this later this week, but Thomas placed fourth on the uneven bars at the 2019 U.S. Championships over the weekend, earning her that honor, and possible consideration for the U.S. team that will travel to the 2019 World Championships. Thomas is just the fifth gymnast in history to follow a season ending at the NCAA Championships with a U.S. Senior National Term birth, a rare feat of doubling up in collegiate and Elite gymnastics. (Mary Howard, Florida Gators)

Lauren Brasure, Stephen Alli among notable Gators graduates: There are hundreds of good stories to tell about and be told by Florida students who walked across the stage or earned their diploma this past week. Brasure, a runner who overcame tragedy to thrive, and former football player Alli, whose time at Florida ends with him earning a Ph.D, have two of the best ones. (Zach Dirlam, Florida Gators | Chris Harry, Florida Gators | Full list of summer graduates)

Why the Gators wear their numbers: Cool feature here. Trey Dean does not lack for confidence; Lamical Perine sure seems like a good egg. (Scott Carter, Florida Gators: Part 1 | Part 2)

Got a link you think we should check out? Email us at AlligatorArmy@gmail.com, subject line CAB, or find us on Twitter (@AlligatorArmy) or on Facebook at facebook.com/AlligatorArmy.