I can see the reasoning behind that. I just believe that when Jed kicked Harbaugh out of San Fran - the issues really began. Then Jed said, next season is SB or bust. Too much going on over there. You really don't see the support from the players at all.
Perhaps I am cold and callous, but I find myself not giving a shit about San Fran and their player defections, retirements, coaching changes, trades, or signings. We have had such a rough and tumble year, that I just am thrilled that it is not the Jets having another year of Ringling Brothers.
How can anyone blame a guy for putting his long-term and immediate health ahead of other things? It's not just leg or arm injuries these guys are sustaining long-term, it's brain injuries that, as we're now becoming more and more aware, can have profound impacts on their lives. The effects of concussions are potentially devastating... major personality changes, memory issues, chronic headaches/migraines, even suicidal/homicidal behavior in some cases (Junior Seau, Jovan Belcher). Maybe for some, these risks don't outweigh the benefits. It has to be a personal choice that must be understood one way or another. The guy has already had at least two concussions too. I'm sure he has many, many other career options anyway. The NFL needs to continue improving the equipment these guys wear, especially the helmets, and making the game as safe as possible by continuing to enforce helmet to helmet and other devastating hits. It truly is an insane and dangerous game, but these steps need to be taken to protect these guys
I'm sorry but your right. I don't mean this as an attack but that is an ignorant thing to say. This guy realizes that there is no more precious of a gift than your brain and he wants to preserve that. I hate to say it, but expect more and more of this. I have a feeling the game will be drastically different in less than a couple of decades.
So you think Im wrong then? I know my opinion on this isnt popular. But I fail to see how its "ignorant". The player can obviously do what he wants. Its good that he seems to have the support from his family and friends in this decision. But I wouldnt be so sure that most players who have similar thoughts would be able to go through the same process because of the pressure of so many people, family or otherwise, wanting, or needing them to be in the NFL for financial reasons. Borland will no doubt find another job in life. But it wont be a job where he'll be making millions. And chances are it will never give him the feel that an NFL field would. Obviously I dont know the guy. But you dont play football up until age 24 and make it to the NFL if you dont atleast like the game. Maybe every offseason we'll have a guy around his age that is an up and coming star walk away from the game because of safety concerns. But no way would a large percentage walk away every year. The financial gain is too great. And lets face it, a good chunk of the players in today's NFL would not offer much in the real world in a real job. That reason will keep guys in the league.
I was saying your right about it being an ignorant statement. Your looking way too much about the financial and glorious aspects of the situation. A brain is not something you could replace with all the billions in the world, and the glory of taking the field of an NFL game is far more fleeting than countless nights these guy might spend in agony suffering from the repercussions of the game. Listen, I LOVE the game of football, and therefore this whole issue is a huge concern of mine. I can't deny that I cringe while watching some of these guys take these hits. It's no longer cool to me like it was when I was a kid. There are huge repercussions to taking the kind of hits they do, and the game needs to invest more money into how to prevent these traumas and injuries instead of the other shit they choose to spend funds on. And yes, the players deserve to get paid more. It's the owners who are treacherous.
Check out this interview with Borland. It's tough to fault him in any way after listening to him. http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_...-borland-made-decision-retire-safety-concerns
