Ryan Hoffman left behind many questions for those who knew him

Posted Dec 2, 2015
Ryan Hoffman and his family believed that the hits he took during his football career had profoundly damaged his brain, and they were sure that the sport had caused him to unravel, thread by thread, until there was hardly anything left for him to live for. He had been a physical marvel once: a 6-foot-5, 287-pound left tackle for North Carolina in the 1990s, a starter for a team ranked in the top 10. (New York Times)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Defensive Lineman Xavier Lewis Announces Himself in UNC’s Win Over TCU
Xavier Lewis heard the question. He cleared his throat and leaned forward. He left almost no room between his lips and the microphone. "Yes," he...
Fri Sep 4, 2026

Time is of the Essence to Figure out UNC Football's GM Position
In August, when UNC Football general manager Michael Lombardi was suspended, the approach the Tar Heels took was a group effort to cover the bases...
Fri Sep 4, 2026

Audio: 100 Years of Kenan Stadium - 'One of the More Remarkable Football Performances'
Few players have left as enduring a mark on UNC Football as running back Don McCauley. McCauley arrived in Chapel Hill in 1967. Before he...
Fri Sep 4, 2026

Steelers LB Cole Holcomb opens up on grueling 18-month knee injury rehab
When Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Cole Holcomb suffered a catastrophic knee injury during the 2023 season, the road ahead was far more complex than a standard...
Fri Sep 4, 2026