49ers' Borland makes unprecedented retirement decision
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The San Francisco 49ers were stunned by the decision of 24-year-old linebacker Chris Borland, who announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday. Borland was concerned about his health and explained more about what went into his decision.
Borland made his decision to retire with so much more information to draw from than when previous generations played the game. His choice will have several NFL and now college players thinking twice about their future health.
Football is the most violent game in all of sports and Borland decided the risk were not worth the rewards.
VIDEO: Borland's resignation sparks conversation among parents
"It's a unique decision to me," Borland said on ESPN's "Outside the Lines". "I've done a lot of research from what I had experienced in my past, projected to what I would have to do to be the linebacker I wanted to be. And for me, it wasn't worth the risk."
He had a remarkable rookie season replacing an injured Patrick Willis, leading the team in tackles with 108. However, the repetitive head trauma was a concern for him all the way back to training camp.
"I thought I sustained a mild concussion and I just played through and that was the moment where it really went differently for me," Borland said.
Borland did not intend to send a statement, but a statement was made throughout the NFL and the sport of football with his decision to retire after just one year in the NFL.
"I just don't want to get in a situation where I'm negotiating my health for money and who knows how many hits is too many. For me, personally, I don't think the risks were worth what I could gain from football," he said.
VIDEO: 49ers Borland putting health over football, retires from NFL
Former teammates respect his decision.
Former teammate Frank Gore said he respected Borland's decision.
Borland hopes his teammates and fans understand his decision as he walks away from what could be a lucrative career in the NFL.
"If I could relay a message to kids, to their parents, it would be two fold. One, just make an informed decision and two, don't play through concussions," Borland said.
He is obviously a bright, thoughtful young man. His choice may be the most influential decision in the history of the NFL in regards to brain trauma. To see a player this young make a decision to walk away from a childhood dream and a bucket load of money is unprecedented. It will not only affect current players, but generations to come.
Borland is also fortunate because a lot of young players can't walk away because they have single mothers or siblings who depend on them.
