Top Rookie Chris Borland Retires Over Concussion And Other Heallth Risks

[jerrym]

SF 49er's Chris Borland, a top rookie, has retired from the NFL saying the potential for future multi-million dollar contracts are not worth the health risks, especially the concussion risks. On MSNBC, a retired NFL player (whose name I did not catch) from the previous generation, commended Borland for doing this. The older former player also said that he expects an increasing number of young players to retire early and parents to channel their sons away from tackle football.


San Francisco 49ers (http://espn.go.com/nfl/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-49ers) linebacker Chris Borland (http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/_/id/16748/chris-borland), one of the NFL's top rookies this past season, told "Outside the Lines" on Monday that he is retiring because of concerns about the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma.Borland, 24, said he notified the 49ers on Friday. He said he made his decision after consulting with family members, concussion researchers, friends and current and former teammates, as well as studying what is known about the relationship between football and neurodegenerative disease.
"I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland told "Outside the Lines." "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk."

http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12496480/san-francisco-49ers-linebacker-chris-borland-retires-head-injury-concerns

[Argo57]

SF 49er's Chris Borland, a top rookie, has retired from the NFL saying the potential for future multi-million dollar contracts are not worth the health risks, especially the concussion risks. On MSNBC, a retired NFL player (whose name I did not catch) from the previous generation, commended Borland for doing this. The older former player also said that he expects an increasing number of young players to retire early and parents to channel their sons away from tackle football.



http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/12496480/san-francisco-49ers-linebacker-chris-borland-retires-head-injury-concerns

In Burlington we have seen this trend as well, tackle enrollment stagnates (if not declines) and flag numbers skyrocket by approx 100 kids/yr and now sits at 800 in total.
Kids enjoy the strategies and skill sets required without the contact.

[Will]

Takes a lot of guts to walk away from that kind of money, but if he honestly feels that the money isn't worth the potential long-term health implications than good for him!

[ArgoRavi]

What good does millions of dollars do you if you can't enjoy it? I am guessing that is what Borland is thinking.