STEPHENVILLE – Scott Grantham knows about heavy decisions.

Facing a fourth and five from the 20-yard line in double overtime at Texas A&M-Kingsville during the first round of the NCAA playoffs on Nov. 14, Grantham tucked the ball after seeing an opening.  The quarterback could have run out of bounds after gaining enough yardage for the first down, but he didn't.  The El Paso native decided to keep going, and in doing so, he scored after an ESPN “Top 10”-like run.

Then, when it came time for the coaching staff to go for one and tie the game or two to win it, Grantham wanted the ball.  And deciding to cut back behind his pulling guard, he gave the Texans the win via the two-point conversion (57-56).

Three years earlier, the quarterback had an even more looming decision to encounter.  Grantham was told he would never play football again thanks to Arterio-Venous Malformation (AVM), an abnormal collection of blood vessels in the brain that can cause seizures or persistent headaches.

After signing with New Mexico State out of high school, Grantham began having headaches in 2006 which sent him on a late-night visit to the emergency room.  Later, he was diagnosed with AVM and the doctors at NMSU would not approve the quarterback to take another snap. 

Of course Grantham was upset to find out he could no longer play the game he loved, at least until a doctor in Arizona called and said he was the perfect candidate for a new procedure that could fix his condition.  The graduate of El Paso's Franklin High School then had to decide to take the risk of losing his eyesight in order to play football.   The eyesight was fine, and the doctor said he would be able to play again.  However, the staff at NMSU still did not feel comfortable with him on the field, so Grantham chose to play at Tarleton.

And Tarleton can't thank him enough.

Grantham graduated in August with a bachelor's degree in business management and started working on his master's at Tarleton this fall.  After playing through the last half of the season nursing an injured throwing shoulder and taking the Texans to the national playoffs, another important and difficult decision was on the horizon.

“After a lot of prayer and thinking,” Tarleton's career touchdown passing leader (57) said, “I have decided that I will not return to play football next season.

“This wasn't just something I thought of after the end of the season,” he continued, “I just think after the great season we just had, I think it is time to move on.”

Tarleton head coach Sam McElroy will now have to look for a starting quarterback, but the man who has been at the helm of the Texans for the last four seasons fully backs Grantham on his choice.

“I can't blame him for his decision,” McElroy said.  “He has already graduated, he has been working on his master's degree and he is about to get married.  He has fought through injuries to play this year, and to go out and play on Saturday was a challenge.”

Grantham's throwing shoulder was so bad, the quarterback would wear a sling through Wednesday, throw a few passes on Thursday and then start on Saturday.  Deciding to play hard was an easy decision for the signal caller, this one was not.

“This decision was not taken lightly,” Grantham said.  “And this decision is not about me getting married.  My fiancé was ready to move to Stephenville and support me, but she wanted me to know this was totally my decision.  After all the time I have spent talking to people and praying about this, I have no doubt that this decision is the right one.”

Grantham has made plenty of right decisions on the field as well.  Besides the career touchdown passing record, the quarterback leaves as the second-best passer in school history with 7,860 yards.   He is also second in career attempts (997) and completions (550).  Grantham turned in the fourth and fifth best seasons by a Texan quarterback with 2,985 yards this year and 2,882 yards in 2007 as a freshman.

On a weekend America dedicates to thankfulness, Grantham was quick to throw out a list of his own things for which he was appreciative.

“As sincere as I can say, I am extremely grateful for all the love and support I was shown during my time her at Tarleton,” Grantham said.  “I was not in a good situation after I was told I would never play again.  I didn't really know what to expect when I decided to come back.  There are a lot of good people and a lot of good Tarleton fans here in Stephenville.  They have changed my life.  As sincere as I can say it, it has been a blessing for me to be there.”

Anyone who knows Grantham knows he puts others first right behind God.  And the three-year starter wants the next Tarleton quarterback to know this is a great place to play. 

“I think with the coaches we have and the atmosphere of the town and school, this is a great place to play football,” Grantham said. “One of the biggest things I've noticed is the caring of people in the town.  They have helped me grow a lot as a person outside of football. This is a great place being a part of a winning tradition. You just can't really go wrong coming to Tarleton.”

McElroy said there the coaching staff will be looking for someone to take Grantham's spot on the field, whether through recruiting or from those already on the roster.  Of course, McElroy noted that no one can ever take his place.

 “We want to thank Scott for three great years,” McElroy said.  “We are grateful for all the things he did for our program.  I know he will be successful in his future.”

And what does Grantham think about his head coach and the rest of the staff?

“Being able to come here and play means so much to me,” Grantham said.  “Coach Mac is a man of great character, and he has been a great mentor.  We have had a great coaching staff in my three year's here, and I have had great players with which to play.”

So what now for the Texan field general?  He doesn't really know other than finishing his master's degree and of course his pending June marriage.

“I am keeping my options open,” Grantham said.  “I'll see where the Lord takes me, and I will follow His guidance.  What comes next is not really for me to decide.”

Almost every time a Tarleton Texan crossed the goal line over the last three seasons, one player soon followed.

Whether he handed the ball to the one who put the six points on the board or threw it to him, Grantham dashed to the end zone.  He even tucked the ball and ran for a few himself during his career - but one thing is clear.  Grantham was there to lift the teammate off the ground or pat him on the helmet.

Grantham was also there to rejoice because he knew exactly what he was celebrating.

“From my perspective, I haven't always had football, and I realized how much of a privilege it is to play,” Grantham said.  “When something special happens, I have always tried to enjoy the moment.  We should all be grateful for the time we get to spend together as teammates, and we should be there to lift each other up.”

All Tarleton fans should be thankful as well, and enjoy the moment. 

The young man who took the Texans to a 27-7 record in his career and helped bring home the 2009 Lone Star Conference Co-Championship trophy and a LSC South Division titles has made a very big decision.

Scott Grantham is moving past football, past the sport he loves.  He will never again step out of a huddle into the shotgun position.  No, he has called an audible that most weren't expecting and closing his career a year early.

However, Scott Grantham has scored in the hearts of his coaches and fans for being a talented football player, a great leader and an even better young man.

After he walks down the aisle on his wedding day in July to make Jordan Bostick his wife, one wonders if Grantham's friends will run down the aisle after him to congratulate him just like he did on Saturdays time after time, for they also understand he is making the most of his second chance at a normal life.

But why wait another eight months?  Join us as we run to the end zone to lift Grantham up.  Congratulate him.  Celebrate his career and his leadership.  Pat him on the head because together, we have all had a special time thanks to the young man from El Paso who decided to become a Texan.

“This has been one of the best experiences in my life,” Grantham said.  “Tarleton is a special place.