Chris Borland, 24, retires from NFL

[kdp1980]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/16/chris-borland-retires-after-one-season/

 

[tomdalton22]

Good for him. I hope this makes more players really think about what they are doing out there.

 

[dubbsco]

I still think it's entirely possible than in 35-50 years the NFL goes extinct. This concussion stuff is serious. Players somehow were able to play a lot more controlled without helmets back in the day.

 

[boogerlovejoy]

I still think it's entirely possible than in 35-50 years the NFL goes extinct. This concussion stuff is serious. Players somehow were able to play a lot more controlled without helmets back in the day.

I don't think it has much to do with control and everything to do with todays athlete. There werent many 6-3 250lb LB's with 4.5 or 4.6 speed in the 40's and 50's.

In 2015 the players are just so big, so fast, so fucking strong that something has to give....unfortunately.....it's their brains. (and ACL's)

The equipment today is state of the art.....but nothing is going to help when you routinely have collisions that are equivalent to a car accident hundreds or thousands of times a year.
I also think the NFL, as it is today, could be gone in our generation. I think they would find SOME other way to play that severely reduces the amount of head trauma......and it might make it almost unwatchable......but something football related would take its place.

 

[dubbsco]

I know the athletes are way more physical and powerful, but even back then before helmets a head on head collision would hurt like hell/kill someone. Likely more of a focus on tackling correctly and not head hunting when you aren't wearing protective stuff. These pads and helmets have turned athletes into fearless launching pads.

There will always be something football-related. I don't think Rugby has nearly as many issues as the NFL does. But it is really possible for the league to scare too many people away. Parents are steering their kids away from football more and more knowing what is happening.