From playbook to textbook, dissecting secondaries to diagnosing ailments. From QB to MD.

The most difficult audible Andrew Buckley has ever had to make.

“The day I did get my first pro playbook,’’ Buckley is reminiscing, on his last official day as a Calgary Stampeder, “I was like ‘Wow! There’s a lot to process here …’

“You’re just kind of overwhelmed by everything. You think you might never get up to speed.

“But school … that’s going to be a challenge. There’s a ton of material they throw at you but especially at the U of C, where a four-year-program in medicine is condensed into three.

“It’s going to be fast-paced. There’s going to be a lot of information.

“I’m sure there are going to be late nights I’m scouring over textbooks, dead tired in the library, asking myself: ‘Why did I make that decision again?’”

But in his heart, he already knows the answer.

It’s not that Buckley wants to be Russ Jackson or Bo Levi Mitchell any less than, say, Marcus Welby or – given his youthful Archie Andrews-ish appearance – Doogie Howser, but family ties do run deep.

Buckley’s dad Richard is an orthopaedic surgeon, his mom Lois a GP.

So two years into his CFL adventure, after a painstaking week weighing pros and cons, considering the option of medicine at the U of C, the 24-year-old Calgary Stampeders quarterback has decided to retire from football.

Richard Buckley, faced with the same dilemma, made somewhat the same call, foregoing a chance to try out with the Montreal Alouettes for med school after playing at the U of C.

“That’s the cool part because the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree with me. I have a good role model in that sense, someone to follow.

“He’s supportive of whatever I do. If I’d continued with football, he’d be behind me 100 per cent. But he’s also the guy to show me how powerful and rewarding a career in medicine is.”

And when the son informed the dad of his decision?

“It’s funny,’’ laughs Buckley, “but the minute I told (him), he said: ‘Good, because a spot on our touch football team just opened up.’”

There’s no doubting, given the commitment required to reach the game’s pro level, there’ll be a withdrawal period.

“It is tough, no doubt,’’ admitted Buckley. “I’ve been given an incredible opportunity with my hometown team, a team I’ve been cheering on since I was a kid.

“I’ve already got season tickets booked for the coming season.

“It’s going to be hard not to be on the sideline. Very, very hard. But I’ve wanted to do med school since I was a little kid.

“I was one of those weird kids that grow up wanting to be a doctor, not a pro football player.

“But the way things worked out, the door opened to play pro football, I ran through it and loved every minute.”

Over his two seasons in red-and-white, the double Hec Crighton-winning Dinos’ star had moved himself up the pecking order from the No. 3 job to back-up, and inspired hope that he might one day be that most elusive of mythical animals – the top-flight home-brew quarterback.

“I know as the back-up you’re one hit away from being the guy on the field,’’ said Buckley. “I’ve had that opportunity the last two years and I embraced the role. Standing beside Bo and being able to support him has been awesome.

“Scoring a touchdown in the (2016) Grey Cup was a life-changing moment for me. Something I’ll remember forever.

“Just being a part of this organization, having my name associated with the Calgary Stampders is pretty special.

“It would’ve been nice to carry on a little further, maybe get a starting spot at some point but it’s a long way down the road and football’s so unpredictable it’s hard to paint that picture even in my own head sometimes.”

Caught somewhat off-guard when he received a text from Buckley on Friday, Stamps’ coach Dave Dickenson gave his blessing to the decision.

“I’m happy for Andrew. I really am. I was in a similar boat but I was football-first and if that didn’t work out then try some school.

“I think he made the right decision.

“As a club we’re going to miss him. He’s welcome to always be part of our family. He’s a winner and it was good to have him.”

As difficult as it will be to leave the familial bonds of a team environment (“the brotherhood that comes with being a football player is something you can’t find anywhere else”), the future Dr. Buckley, certainly a smart cookie, is convinced that he made the right diagnosis.

That he’s going out on his own terms.

“The first day of camp, then that first game sitting in the stands with my family watching … I won’t lie, they’ll be hard,’’ he concedes.

“But this does feel right. I’ve got a long road of school ahead of me. Then residency.

“I might seem young but now’s the right time to go.

“The way I look at it, the opportunity was too good not to take. Obviously you can decline the offer and re-apply but I’ve heard horror stories of people who do that and never get back in.

“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make but it’s also the easiest decision.

“I’ve got a chance to set up my future long-term and that’s the best thing.”