Adam Breneman gave it everything he had.
In light of constant injury however, the Nittany Lion redshirt sophomore tight end has announced his decision to give up his career in football, the program announced Thursday via statement on Twitter.
“I want to thank Coach [Bill] O’Brien, Coach [James] Franklin, my teammates and the Penn State fans for the great memories over the last three years,” Breneman said via press release. “I have truly treasured my time as a Nittany Lion and I am confident that the Penn State experience has prepared me for the next phase of my life.”
Breneman's first mark with the program began before he ever stepped foot onto the Beaver Stadium turf.
Committing to then-head coach Bill O'Brien in the midst of a scandal that rocked the entire Penn State community, Breneman and quarterback Christian Hackenberg helped head a charge to save the program. Their influence, committing to the program in the face of severe scrutiny and then again maintaining that commitment upon the announcement of the NCAA's sanctions, was paramount according to many.
And though he'd recovered from a high school knee injury that forced him out of his senior season at Cedar Cliff in the Harrisburg area, his contributions as a true freshman showed great promise as a Nittany Lion. Playing in 11 games and starting in five , Breneman tallied 15 receptions for 186 yards and three touchdowns, capping his season with a breakout performance at Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, a thrilling 31-24 upset in Madison, Breneman hauled in a 68-yard touchdown from Christian Hackenberg to put the Nittany Lions on the board first for which they wouldn't look back.
Breneman's career wouldn't be the same from that point on, though.
Missing the entirety of the 2014 season due to an unspecified knee injury, Breneman's expected return to the Nittany Lion lineup was thwarted again this past year to great disappointment. Stranded on the sidelines awaiting a possible return through the first half of the season, Breneman was only able to play in games at Ohio State and at Michigan State.
According to head coach James Franklin, Breneman's mark on the program isn't soon to be forgotten.
“I know that it was a difficult for Adam to step away from the game, but he felt it was the right time,” said Franklin via release. “We are so proud of his work in the classroom, having earned his degree in three years.
"Adam is a special young man that has left his imprint on not only the Penn State football program, but the Penn State community at large. He has been a difference maker at a very young age and has a bright future ahead of him.”
Breneman earned his Penn State degree from the business school in just three years. According to a team spokesperson, he will pursue professional operations this spring.
