Chris Borland definitely shook up the NFL last week when he announced his retirement after playing just one season with the San Francisco 49ers. Borland said it was due to fear of future brain injuries and he consulted with family members, concussion researchers, friends and current and former teammates, as well as studying what is known about the relationship between football and neurodegenerative disease.
Borland, 24, was asked if he had any buyer’s remorse.
“Absolutely not. To play one year, it’s not a cash grab as I’ve been accused of. I’m paying back three-fourths of my signing bonus. I’m only taking the money I’ve earned,” he said via ESPN.
“This to me is just about health and nothing else. I’ve never played the game for money or attention. I love football. I’ve had a blast and I don’t regret the last 10 years of my life at all. I’d do it over the exact same way. From here on I’m looking forward.”
Borland, as a third-round draft pick last year, had a four-year contract that included a signing bonus of $617,436. Three-quarters of that bonus would be $463,077 and Borland paying it back would give the 49ers a bit of a bump in their salary cap space.
This shows you it isn’t all about the money to some people, quality of life is way more important. Some think the more the damaging effects of football come to light, the more it’ll stop people from playing the sport. I think way too many people love the game for that to ever happen and as some players have already admitted, they’re willing to take the risk to do what they love.
