BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Buffalo Bills center Eric Wood, a 2005 Elder High School graduate, has suffered a career-ending injury, he tweeted Friday.
Wood, 31, played nine seasons with the Bills, starting in all 120 games he played with the team.
According to Wood's tweet, he was diagnosed with a neck injury during his season-end physical. Doctors said he would not be cleared to play football, even with surgery.
I was diagnosed with a neck injury as part of my season-ending physical with the Bills. After consultation with Dr. Cappuccino and other physicians, I was informed that I was no longer cleared to play football, even with surgery or further treatment.
— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 26, 2018
I appreciate and thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers, and I will shed more light on the situation at a press conference on Monday at the team facility.
— Eric Wood (@EWood70) January 26, 2018
Wood was a star on Elder's team and helped them win back-to-back Division I state championships in 2002 and '03. In college, he led the University of Louisville Cardinals' front wall and earned All-Big East Conference and All-American honors. The Bills picked him in the first round of the 2009 draft, 28th overall.
Our center. Our captain. Our leader.
Though retirement came earlier than planned, congratulations on an incredible career, Eric Wood. #ThankYouEric pic.twitter.com/TQunk9powh
— Buffalo Bills (@buffalobills) January 26, 2018
