Wary of head trauma, San Francisco 49ers player Chris Borland is leaving football, and not even the promise of NFL stardom and piles of money could change his mind.
So now, after one stellar rookie season, he is retiring at age 24.
The 49ers announced his decision late on Monday, without offering specifics.
Photo: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY
However, Borland told ESPN’s Outside the Lines earlier in the day he wants to do “what’s best for my health.”
Borland had a team-leading 108 tackles as a rookie, emerging as a punishing defender. The linebacker also had a sack and two interceptions.
“From what I’ve researched and what I’ve experienced, I don’t think it’s worth the risk,” Borland said in the interview. “I feel largely the same, as sharp as I’ve ever been. For me, it’s wanting to be proactive. I’m concerned that if you wait till you have symptoms, it’s too late.”
San Francisco 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said the team was surprised by his move, and called Borland a “consummate professional.”
Borland’s big announcement comes less than a week after seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis retired. Borland replaced Willis in the starting lineup after his toe injury in October last year required surgery.
The NFL, like the 49ers, said it respects Borland’s decision, adding that “playing any sport is a personal decision.”
The league said that “football has never been safer,” citing progress with rule changes, tackling techniques, equipment, protocols and medical care.
“Concussions in NFL games were down 25 percent last year, continuing a three-year downward trend,” NFL senior vice president of health and safety Jeff Miller said in a statement on Tuesday. “We continue to make significant investments in independent research to advance the science and understanding of these issues. We are seeing a growing culture of safety. Everyone involved in the game knows that there is more work to do, and player safety will continue to be our top priority.”
The retirements of Willis and Borland are big blows to a team that also lost coach Jim Harbaugh and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio after the season, then watched Frank Gore, Mike Iupati, Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox depart in free agency this past week.
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