Chris Borland on retirement decision: Health more important than money
Months removed from his shocking decision to retire from the NFL on the heels of a stellar rookie season, former San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland doesn't appear to be having any second thoughts.
Though Borland says he's constantly asked how he could give up the financial rewards that come with playing football at the professional level, he stresses that choosing to walk away from the game was about much more than money.
"That has been the biggest surprise for me," Borland said at the 2015 Legends of Wisconsin Golf Classic last week, according to Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "People can't get over the money.
"That's all they think about. But your health is a little more important."
Shortly after announcing his retirement in March, Borland indicated that he'd return three-quarters of his rookie signing bonus to the 49ers, a portion that totaled $463,077.
As he's consistently done since first making his decision, Borland expressed concerns surrounding the long-term effects of head injuries when asked why he chose to retire.
"Just a combination of my own experience, along with a lot of data that is out there regarding long-term health effects of head injuries," he said. "And I play a position and a style of play where I was susceptible to the worst of it. I played a physical brand of football and played through some things where it makes sense for me."
Borland burst onto the scene in his debut season with the 49ers, filling in for injured linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman and tallying an impressive 108 tackles, two interceptions, and one sack in 14 appearances.
Along with Willis and offensive tackle Anthony Davis, Borland was one of three 49ers players to cite long-term health concerns when opting for early retirement this offseason.
- With h/t to CBS Sports