March 28, 2000

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Offensive tackle Marlon Curtis, who has been plagued by shoulder injuries over the past two seasons, has decided to end his college football career, head coach Jim Caldwell announced today. Curtis will not participate in spring practice nor return for his final season of eligibility in the fall of 2000.

After redshirting as a true freshman in 1996, Curtis served as a backup center for the Deacs in 1997, then earned the starting center's job in 1998. He started seven of the first eight games of the '98 campaign at center before a shoulder injury cut his season short. After undergoing offseason surgery, Curtis moved to offensive tackle in 1999 and backed up starter Todd Hollowell for three games before injuring the other shoulder. He underwent another round of surgery and hoped to return for spring drills, but spring strength tests revealed lingering shoulder problems.

Curtis will graduate from Wake Forest University this May with a bachelor's degree in history.