A.J. Tarpley spent one season with the Buffalo Bills, fulfilling his lifelong dream of playing football at the highest level. It’s a game he dearly loves. Tarpley quit after that single season because he wants to remember it — and because he doesn’t want to live his life the way players like NFL legend Joe Montana must when their playing days are behind them. (Montana has had three “neck fusions” and that’s just a start.)
Tarpley isn’t leaving a league that didn’t have room for him either — despite going undrafted he played in 14 games for the Bills. (He retires with two interceptions.) Tarpley says he “suffered the 3rd and 4th concussions” of his career during his single NFL campaign. He called his decision to retire “the hardest I’ve ever made,” arriving at it after “much research and contemplation.” Research and contemplation — as well as taking care of one’s brain — are high priorities at Stanford University, where Tarpley spent four years. He is 23 years old.
