EVANSTON, Ill. (AP) — Northwestern cornerback Dwight White has decided to stop playing football.

White tells the Chicago Tribune he found out in June after experiencing abdominal pain that he was born with one kidney. He decided to keep playing. But after suffering a kidney contusion in practice in the final days before the season opener, he ultimately opted to stop.

White appeared in all 12 games and made six starts as a freshman last season. He did not appear in any games this year.

White was approved as a medical non-counter by the Big Ten starting in the 2015-16 academic year, allowing him to remain on scholarship without counting against the team’s limit of 85.

In a statement Thursday, White says he had to think about his long-term health.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.