Wow 49ers LB Borland retiring!!!

[az jam]

Is this a joke??

Chris Buckle ‏@chris_buckle 3m3 minutes ago
Breaking from @OTLonESPN: 49ers LB Chris Borland retiring b/c of concerns about long-term effects of head trauma: http://es.pn/18zMb3C

 

[Austin Zonie]

Wow! Sounds serious. Hard to question his motives. He knows he's leaving millions on the table for health. I'm sure this is a trend that will continue.

 

[gmabel830]

I wonder if someone past or present on the Niners was having some real issues, given Willis and now Borland. I agree it is a trend that will continue, and hopefully it will drive more changes to the game.

 

[Solar7]

Is this a joke??

Chris Buckle ‏@chris_buckle 3m3 minutes ago
Breaking from @OTLonESPN: 49ers LB Chris Borland retiring b/c of concerns about long-term effects of head trauma: http://es.pn/18zMb3C

I did the research for at least decent sources from Twitter, and it looks to be true... Wow.

Edit: ESPN reporting it too.

 

[oaken1]

rats fleeing a sinking ship in santa clara

 

[New Mexico]

I like what he has to say. Sounds like a really grounded person with his priorities in order. I wish him luck!

 

[Solar7]

I don't want to make this important issue about us, but man, I hope Dockett's happy with the extra money to likely close his career out on a team that will struggle.

 

[crisper57]

Wow. Best of luck to him.

 

[az jam]

From ESPN Article:
Borland is the fourth NFL player age 30 or younger to announce his retirement in the past week. Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds, 27, said he retired "after much thought and consideration" to pursue "other interests." Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, 26, said he left the game because he no longer had "the burning desire necessary to play the game for a living."

Willis said he retired due to constant pain in his feet, among other reasons. He was placed on the season-ending injured reserve Nov. 11 after getting hurt on Oct. 13.

 

[Cheesebeef]

Man... If the NFL didn't think head trauma was a serious issue, the rash of retirements is gonna make them think again.

 

[Shane]

Man... If the NFL didn't think head trauma was a serious issue, the rash of retirements is gonna make them think again.

Rash??

 

[crisper57]

Why do you think they are so hellbent on expanding the game internationally? Need more young men willing to trade health for wealth/fame.

 

[crisper57]

Just mandate mouthpieces on every player and this concussion thing will shrink greatly.

 

[Darkside]

I don't want to make this important issue about us, but man, I hope Dockett's happy with the extra money to likely close his career out on a team that will struggle.

Unfortunately or not, this is how I feel. They were all tweeting him welcome big Dock, you badass, and then leave the team as he joins.

I'm not so insecure that I won't admit I'm a little bitter about the Dockett situation. I didn't say much at the time, but he went to a bitter rival. And I do mean bitter. Even under Singletary and Nolan they were bitter rivals.

Dock ripped on Dansby, who was a stud, an absolute stud, for chasing money, but at least Dansby went far away... And Dansby chased REAL money, real freaking money... Dock left for a difference of pennies in their millionaire world, to go play a state away and a rival.

That's just a dick move. Period.

It's going to be awesome when Lupati pancakes his ass. Because we'll run to Docks side all day.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Why do you think they are so hellbent on expanding the game internationally? Need more young men willing to trade health for wealth/fame.

People trade thier health for no fame and little to no wealth every day.

I respect Mr. Borland's decision. But I see it as highly idealistic, and borderline illogical.

If he has made enough to live on then I may be off base here, but life takes its pound of flesh one way or another, imo.

Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

 

[Darkside]

People trade thier health for no fame and little to no wealth every day.

I respect Mr. Borland's decision. But I see it as highly idealistic, and borderline illogical.

If he has made enough to live on then I may be off base here, but life takes its pound of flesh one way or another, imo.

Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

Agree with this. Totally. Especially the lb of flesh. Life takes it from you, just a matter of when and how. Nobody is immune or safe.

Frankly, how many dudes die from a thousand papercuts to the heart and ego every day doing something they hate and not living their dream? That's most people. Day after day, year after year.

Most of us die with tremendous regret. Every day. Life sucks the wind out of mofos and before you know it it's too late to realize your dreams. It's slow and gradual in the beginning but it builds momentum until the last third of your life it's an unstoppable avalanche. Unstoppable.

Great post.

 

[splitsecond]

Seems like a smart and well thought out move and it couldn't happen to a more deserving team.

 

[Metcalf Rules]

Less good players on the 9er defense means more yards for AP in AZ.. just sayin'!

 

[crisper57]

People trade thier health for no fame and little to no wealth every day.



Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

You are right, but how many of those people run a 4.3 40? Or bench 225 lbs 20 times? Or have 40 inch verticals? An already small segment of our society has the tools that the NFL wants and now concussions are scaring some of them away. The NFL is desperate to grow the talent pool.

 

[Jetstream Green]

I wonder if someone past or present on the Niners was having some real issues, given Willis and now Borland. I agree it is a trend that will continue, and hopefully it will drive more changes to the game.

More changes, like just make it flag football? I understand the concern over injuries but football is a violent contact sport and one of the reasons it is one of the top sports and why players get paid large salaries... as mentioned in the thread, if a majority of these guys would wear the recommended mouthpieces, the concussions would not be as prevalent as they are now

 

[ajcardfan]

People trade thier health for no fame and little to no wealth every day.

I respect Mr. Borland's decision. But I see it as highly idealistic, and borderline illogical.

If he has made enough to live on then I may be off base here, but life takes its pound of flesh one way or another, imo.

Sent from my intergalactic transmorgapher

It's easier to say something like this when it's not your brain at risk.

Yeah, you could get a similar injury in a car accident 10 minutes from now. But, it's not like anyone here will have multiple 300 lb + guys trying to pound them into the turf dozens of times this year either.

This isn't just an NFL issue either. Our high school team, a very good HS team, had two of its best players quit for the same reason right before the beginning of last season. They were good enough to play college ball, but smart enough that academics are also getting them scholarships and tuition waivers. Personally, one on one, I applauded each of them for making such a mature decision that they took a lot of flack over.

 

[ajcardfan]

More changes, like just make it flag football? I understand the concern over injuries but football is a violent contact sport and one of the reasons it is one of the top sports and why players get paid large salaries... as mentioned in the thread, if a majority of these guys would wear the recommended mouthpieces, the concussions would not be as prevalent as they are now

You are right. You can't change the game to where its a noncontact sport. Just like boxing has never become "safe", football is on the same road.

And, just like mouthpieces don't stop concussions in boxing, they will never eliminate them in football either. Until someone figures out how to safely insert a pad INSIDE the skull, between the brain and the bone, concussions can't be eliminated. Certainly not with the abnormal size and velocity modern pro athletes are reaching.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

It's odd how some people can't see the writing on the wall. These early retirements only going to become more and more common until the NFL makes some serious vhanges.

 

[Darkside]

It's easier to say something like this when it's not your brain at risk.

Yeah, you could get a similar injury in a car accident 10 minutes from now. But, it's not like anyone here will have multiple 300 lb + guys trying to pound them into the turf dozens of times this year either.

This isn't just an NFL issue either. Our high school team, a very good HS team, had two of its best players quit for the same reason right before the beginning of last season. They were good enough to play college ball, but smart enough that academics are also getting them scholarships and tuition waivers. Personally, one on one, I applauded each of them for making such a mature decision that they took a lot of flack over.

You can applaud them, but the sharks they'll deal with in the corporate world are far more dangerous and numerous, frankly, than getting a concussion.

I deal with the corporate world every day and can tell you they're far more relentless than a tackler every Sunday. That's once a week for half a year, these dudes are 7 days a week 365. They're soul-sucking vampires. At least in football you know who the players are and where they're coming from.

And I'm quite certain that stress and lack of sleep kill more mofos than concussions.

 

[oaken1]

wonder if D90 knew he was moving to Santa Clara Pines?