NFL rookie packs it in after one year: 'I don't think it's worth the risk.'

[Viligant_Warrior]

NFL player Chris Borland retires after 1 season at age 24 due to head injury concerns

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland announced his retirement after just one NFL season late Monday, citing concerns about suffering debilitating head injuries.

The club confirmed that the 24-year-old Borland would not return to playing professional football.

Borland told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" of his decision in an interview that aired Sunday morning. Borland isn't just using head injury and fear of possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) from recurring concussions as an excuse for mediocre play. He led the 49ers in tackles with 108 in his rookie season, along with a sack and two interceptions. The 49ers said, in talking to Borland, he had obviously done his research and had concluded the risks were too great for him personally.

Interesting, to say the least. What do you think?

 

[Utah]

Nothing is more important in life than having a relationship with Jesus Christ, and second is good health. Borland was a third round pick and made at least the league minimum of $420,000.00, maybe even a bonus or two for leading the team in tackles.

Financially he's not set for life but he has a nice head start to further his education, start a business or invest carefully. He lived his dream for one year, he's leaving football in good health, has some pocket change and the NFL connections to continue working with the league in some capacity. It takes courage to walk away like he has; I say, God bless him!

 

[Viligant_Warrior]

Absolutely right, Utah. Borland seems like a very intelligent, gifted young man, and I'm certain that goes beyond the locker room and the football field. There may be a lot more young players thinking along these same lines. The latest estimates I've see from the joint NFL/NCAA study show that, by the time a player reaches his rookie season in the pros, he has probably suffered over a dozen traumatic head injuries, even though he may not have noticed them all. Hard hits to the lower body also jar the brain inside the cranium, and those add up over the years, according to the neurologists. He's probably correct: It isn't worth it. Hard for a diehard football fan to say.

 

[p_rehbein]

Seeing the sad state of Professional players who are currently suffering from head injuries, and some who have died from them, the young man made a decision that money was not more valuable than life itself. Wish a bunch of others would be as intelligent. God bless him in any future endeavors.