"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." (ESPN). He had 107 tackles and a sack in 14 games, eight of them starts. He was slated to make $540,000 this season (ESPN).
The announcement of his retirement has brought about mixed reactions.
On the one hand it does leave some questions unanswered. This did come as a bit of a surprise because of how much of an impact he had with San Francisco. The 49ers didn't have Patrick Willis last year, due to injury. So Borland stepped in and filled a big role. When Willis got hurt last year, Borland took over around week seven. From then until week fifteen, Borland lead the entire NFL in tackles with 98. The guy could play, and play well. He put up the same kind of numbers in college. During his career at Wisconsin, Borland was named the Big Ten's defensive player of the year and linebacker of the year as a senior. He was a first-team All-American selection and recipient of multiple All-Big Ten honors. So he was one of the best up and coming linebackers in the game. Now with Borland retiring, it leaves the 49ers with a bit of a hole at the linebacker position. The guy had his whole career ahead of him, which does leave some scratching their heads. He walked away from what could have possibly been a big payday.
Now here's the other side of the argument. Look at what Borland told Outside The Lines when he was asked about why he retired. He said that playing the game wasn't worth the risk of the long term health issues. He said he feels as sharp as ever, and doesn't want to wait till its too late before symptoms start creeping up on him. It's been pretty well documented how many former players have had mental health issues after their playing careers because of concussions. You have guys like Mike Webster, Dave Duerson, Ray Easterling and Junior Seau are among those who have lost their lives when chronic traumatic encephalopathy was involved. That happens to be one of the symptoms that are associated with concussions and post concussion syndrome.
Those players have sadly lost their lives. There are a few notable names who are now living with neurological problems thanks to playing football. You have guys like Jim McMahon, Harry Carsons, Brett Farve, Dorsey Levens, Jamal Lewis and so on. Plus there are more than a few former players that have sued the NFL due to the injuries occurred from the game. This is an issue, concussions in the NFL, that won't be going away anytime soon. What the Borland retirement has done is, in all likelihood, getting more people to really start thinking about the game.
If you look at the way the game is played now, a lot of the players are bigger, stronger and faster than they were twenty years ago. Because of the speed in the game, the hits are getting a lot harder. It makes it tougher for the players to stay healthy and possibly avoid head injuries. I know that the NFL is really looking into possible equipment to make the players safer, especially when it comes to trying to protect a players head. I give the league props for what they are trying to do, but I'm not sure if there is really a way to fully protect a players head from injuries.
Chris Borland had concerns about these types of injuries, which is why he chose to step away from the game now. Sure there is probably going to be somebody who can step in and fill the role that Borland left with the 49ers. What Borland did was set a standard for the players and the league by saying that my health is more important and it's ok to be able to step away from the game because of health concerns. A few years ago, a players "manhood" would have come into question. Now it's viewed as acceptable to walk away like this.
Borland becomes the most prominent NFL player to leave the game in his prime because of concerns about brain injuries.
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