Iowa State's Levi Peters ending football career

AMES — Iowa State senior linebacker Levi Peters is calling it quits.

Peters announced Monday morning he is ending his football career because of the multitude of injuries he's sustained in his five years with the Cyclones.

The Gilmore City, Iowa, native had two surgeries on his right foot before beginning his college career, had his left foot operated on twice and also suffered a torn Achilles tendon in his right foot.

Peters was voted a team captain for the 2015 season and started nine games, registering 47 tackles, 6.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks while leading the team in forced fumbles (3). Although he graduates this spring, Peters said in a statement there was discussion he'd be around in 2016.

'When the season ended in November I started to think I didn't have another year in me,' Peters said in a release from Iowa State. 'I didn't open up to many people about it. There were many times where it was really hard to walk out of practice because my feet were hurting so bad. When the new coaching staff came in, it was in my head, 'OK, I'm coming off of being a captain and I need to be here to help lead these guys through this transition.' I needed to do everything I could to get everybody through this.

'The first talks I had with (Iowa State football) Coach (Matt) Campbell and (linebackers) Coach (Tyson) Veidt were about my health. They knew about my injuries. It's been a constant battle my whole career. I was trying to get through workouts, but I was struggling. I talked a lot to our doctors and trainers and they were giving me advice. What they tell me is very important to me. I probably had this decision made a while ago, but we were just starting winter workouts, which is our hardest regimen. I didn't want to say I was in too much pain to be doing this stuff anymore.

'I love my teammates so much. I love this coaching staff. I love what they are doing to change the culture here. I wanted to try to be a leader during winter workouts and help guys get through it. I wanted to be there participating with them and not just cheering them on, so I finished winter workouts with them and decided it was time to hang up the cleats. I told the team this morning about my decision. They are very important to me and I wanted them to know the reason I am here is for them. I'm going to stick around and do whatever I can to help this team. I will do anything for them, and I wanted them to know that.

'I need to come to terms with my decision and make a positive out of it. Coach Campbell wants me to stay around and help. Coaching was something I never thought I would do, but I am so close to these guys and I will do anything I can to help them. You never know, maybe I will find a love for coaching. To the Iowa State fan base, thank you so much. Your love and support is amazing.'

Peters was instantly recognizable on the sideline with his dark bushy beard and relentless pursuit as a defender, but he also was a fixture off the field. He has often been a team ambassador who can be seen at public functions or visiting hospitals and also was a member of the Wuerffel Trophy and AFCA Good Works Team watch lists.

'I don't know if anybody epitomizes what it means to be a Cyclone more than Levi Peters,' Campbell said in a statement. 'He gave everything he had for this program with a tenacity and work ethic matched by no one. He competed that way because he loved being a Cyclone.

'Levi is also a natural leader. That's why he was voted a captain last year, and I noticed his leadership abilities in the short time I had coaching him. There is no doubt that Levi will be missed in the locker room, on the playing field and in the community. He's a special kid who we want to maintain a part of our program.'

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