- Sam May was put into ICU after horrific accident
- Has made a remarkable recovery since April incident
West Adelaide footy star Sam May has announced his retirement from the sport after suffering a brain injury following his shocking fall from a pub earlier this year.
May, 24, suffered severe injuries after he fell through a roof at the Pier Hotel in Port Lincoln on April 20, and was shortly afterwards placed in an induced coma.
May became separated from his teammates, who were at the venue following their 13-point defeat by Norwood, and concerns first arose the next morning when he failed to show up for breakfast.
Emergency services were called to the pub the following morning after reports a man had fallen through the roof.
May has made a remarkable recovery since the accident, but has chosen to hang up his footy boots for good.
‘The West Adelaide Football Club would like to say thank you to Sam May who has been an outstanding servant of the club,’ the team announced on Monday.
‘As a result of the brain injury he sustained, Sam will be retiring from playing footy. Sam informed his team mates and football department last Wednesday night.
‘He is much loved and has been an integral part of the club having been in the leadership group the last two seasons.
Adelaide football player Sam May (pictured) has announced his retirement from the sport after a shocking fall from pub roof
Sam May has made an incredible recovery from his horror accident – but has now called full time on his Aussie Rules career
‘Courageous, role model, team first and resilient are just a couple of words that describes Sam’s tenure at the Bloods, he always wore the red & black jumper with pride.
‘We wish Sam all the very best in his next chapter and will always be part of the Bloods family.’
Bloods coach Adam Hartlett has described May’s recovery from serious head and facial injuries as ‘amazing’ and ‘incredible’.
‘I was sitting at home (on Friday) looking after my youngest daughter and I got a text from Sam at 9am,’ Hartlett said in May.
‘He’s like, can I call you to have a chat’. I’m like, mate, let’s talk.
‘We spoke for about 10 minutes and it was just incredible, incredible to hear his voice again.
May fell through a roof at the Pier Hotel (pictured) in Port Lincoln on April 20 and emergency services weren’t notified until the following day
‘He wanted to wish the boys well for the game (Saturday’s clash against North Adelaide) and to say he’d appreciated all the support that myself, the club and the boys have shown him.
‘It was amazing to hear from him and he reckons he’s going to come to the club and say g’day at some stage soon.’
A former student at prestigious Prince Alfred College, May had also been an accomplished tennis player and was ranked number three in the country as a junior.
He studied law and commerce at university.
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