San Francisco 49ers linebacker 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."
Borland becomes the most prominent NFL player to leave the game in his prime because of concerns about brain injuries. More than 70 former players have been diagnosed with progressive neurological disease after their deaths, and numerous studies have shown connections between the repetitive head trauma associated with football, brain damage and issues such as depression and memory loss.
"I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been. For me, it's wanting to be proactive," Borland said. "I'm concerned that if you wait 'til you have symptoms, it's too late. ... There are a lot of unknowns. I can't claim that X will happen. I just want to live a long, healthy life, and I don't want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise."
I have to tell you that I am incredibly impressed with this young man. To walk away from that kind of money takes real guts.
And he's not wrong, there is more and more evidence everyday that even impacts that don't result in concussion can have long term negative effects on the brain.
I occasionally get asked why I don't watch football, except of course the Superbowl, and this is one of the main reasons that I cite.
As an ex-martial arts fighter I also get asked about why I don't watch MMA matches, but to be honest I simply cannot sit through one because the minute I sees somebody striking another person with their elbows I just want to jump into the ring and stop them so that the poor son-of-a-bitch can someday still find his way around his own house.
Look I have taken more than my fair share of blows to the head and I can attest to the fact that it makes certain tasks much more challenging. I drop names all of the time, and have done so since I was in my early twenties.
It can be really frustrating, so I can certainly understand a young man who sees that coming in this future and chooses to avoid it.
I think this guy is a great example and by the way so do many of this teammates.
