Marshall Football: Ken Smith Exits Team, Ends Career

Speaking during his weekly press conference, Marshall University football coach Doc Holliday announced that defensive tackle Ken Smith has left the football program. No reason was given for Smith's exit but, Holliday said the Texas native had decided to no longer play football.

Smith didn't record any stats during the Thundering Herds first three games and was among the players that did not travel to Ohio on Saturday.

A transfer from Blinn Community College (TX), Smith seemingly battled injury problems since arriving on campus. In a August 2012 article, Huntington Herald Dispatch columnist Chuck Landon reported that Smith suffered a career threatening back injury. The interior defensive lineman recovered to play three games at the end of last season and registered four assisted tackles.

On his Twitter account, Smith indicated that he was not ready to abandon football but was forced to leave the game.

I love football and in no shape of form was I ready to give up my career but unfortunately I was forced to.
— Ken Rykashae Smith (@Sky_Boy_Smith) September 17, 2013