Former Ravens lineman, marijuana advocate Monroe retires citing CTE fears

Free-agent offensive tackle Eugene Monroe announced his retirement Thursday on The Players' Tribune, citing concerns over his long-term health.

"I’m only 29 and I still have the physical ability to play at a very high level, so I know that my decision to retire may be puzzling to some. But I am thinking of my family first right now - and my health and my future," Monroe wrote.

"The last 18 years have been full of traumatic injuries to both my head and my body. I’m not complaining, just stating a fact. Has the damage to my brain already been done? Do I have CTE? I hope I don’t, but over 90 percent of the brains of former NFL players that have been examined showed signs of the disease. I am terrified."

Monroe, 29, was released by the Baltimore Ravens earlier this offseason in a move head coach John Harbaugh described as being purely about football.

Monroe, whom the Ravens acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2013, battled injuries in recent seasons, appearing in only six games in 2015 and 11 the year prior.

It's hard not to wonder if Monroe's stance on marijuana - he's an outspoken advocate for research into the possible health benefits of medical marijuana - also factored into the Ravens' decision.

"Even though my football career is over, I plan to continue to be a vocal advocate for medical marijuana research, particularly as it relates to CTE," Monroe wrote.

Monroe said in June he was in discussions to join a new team, but apparently changed his mind about continuing his playing career.