Former Flordia State University defensive back Myron Rolle is officially exchanging his cleats for scrubs after announcing a neurosurgery residency at Massachusetts General Hospital.

Rolle learned Friday, March 17, that he would spend the next seven years at Harvard Medical School’s largest teaching hospital beginning July 1 and he shared the news on Instagram the same day.

“Seven years of neurosurgery is a big deal, something I wanted for a long time, really excited about it,” Rolle, an All-American and Rhodes Scholar told WCTV Friday. “Today is just great, it’s remarkable. Saving lives and helping people live a better life, that’s going to make life worth living.”

Rolle played three seasons with FSU and graduated early in 2008. Medicine has long been a passion for the 30-year-old as he put off an NFL career for more than a year to obtain a master’s degree in medical anthropology from Oxford University. After signing contracts with the Tennesee Titans and Pittsburgh Steelers, Rolle didn’t play in a regular-season game and enrolled at the Florida State University College of Medicine in 2013.

“I can remember years ago when I’d tell him, ‘You cannot play football and be a doctor,'” Whitney Rolle, Myron’s father, told WCTV. “And he told me, ‘No daddy, you watch and see, I’m going to do both.'”

Since Myron Rolle’s announcement, he’s shared why he’s interested in neurology.

Not entirely. The challenge of the brain. The unknown areas of this science which I can study. And the opp to save a life! https://t.co/DoTkZEFPhJ — Myron Rolle, MD (@MyronRolle) March 18, 2017

The ex-footballer also steadily retweeted congratulatory messages on Twitter.

So thrilled to hear this..congrats, @MyronRolle! Thx for being such an awesome example for ALL of us. Wow. https://t.co/UAPF63gGYW — Sage Steele (@sagesteele) March 18, 2017

https://twitter.com/Kaylabball99/status/843128135419924481

Incredible person and great example of what success is! @MyronRolle you still got my vote for president some day! (J-Mac) https://t.co/7mGhCu8CZ6 — Devin&Jason McCourty (@McCourtyTwins) March 18, 2017

https://twitter.com/RickyGriff3_/status/843119568541442051