24-year-old Chris Borland quit the San Francisco 49ers and the NFL yesterday. The linebacker had played just one season. Borland cited health concerns and concussion fear, a fear that dogs the NFL. “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.” He added: “I don’t want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise.”
Borland becomes the 5th young–30 and under–player to retire from the NFL since March 1. His teammate Patrick Willis, 30, announced his retirement a week ago. Maurice Jones-Drew (29), Jake Locker (26: “I no longer have the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living”) and Jason Worilds (27) have all called it quits this month. If history is any guide, one or more of these players will try to come back, missing the money.
