Chris Borland - RETIRED

[Jalxsu]

I am in complete and utter shock!!

 

After an incredible rookie season for the 49ers, Chris Borland has decided to retire!

 

It doesn't even appear that he has a current injury, he just seems to be concerned that football is a dangerous sport, and he's not willing to put his health at risk for a career in the NFL.

 

San Francisco fans must be distraught. The announcement of Patrick Willis retiring was softened by the fact that their rookie 3rd round linebacker had performed to such a high level. Now they are without two of the game's top inside linebackers due to retirement.

 

I'm pretty surprised by his reasoning. I don't know anything about his personal life, but I'm assuming he must have come from an affluent background, because giving up on such a lucrative career just sounds kind of crazy to me. Maybe he just lacks passion for the game.

 

Either way, it's a tough time to be a 49ers fan. Just a short while ago, the Seahawks and 49ers were considered to be the top two teams in the league and two potential future dynasties. I'd not be shocked if they end up bottom of the pile in the NFC West in 2015.

[juanman7]

You think there's any chance they try to trade with us for Arthur Brown? The draft isn't too strong for inside linebackers and Brown looked good coming into the NFL and must offer them some upside. Your thoughts?

[rmw10]

I've had a concussion before and I can tell you that it's not pleasant at all. I've only had 1, and I'm lucky enough to say that I have no lasting effects. However, the few weeks after the concussion were brutal. I can completely sympathize with wanting to walk away from the game to avoid that risk.

[BSHU_Miami]

You think there's any chance they try to trade with us for Arthur Brown? The draft isn't too strong for inside linebackers and Brown looked good coming into the NFL and must offer them some upside. Your thoughts?

That was my exact thought. Send us Vernon Davis 9ers

[PolishRifle]

Confirmed: Levi's Stadium was build on cursed Indian burial ground. Just dissolve the franchise San Francisco! Sometimes dead is better.

[GrimCoconut]

Jim Harbaugh's revenge. 

[allblackraven]

I completely understand his reasons and good on him for doing it.

 

The timing of this is totally messed up though. Did he woke up this morning and it occurred to him he must retire? How long has he been contemplating this? Couldn't he tell the franchise before the FA and after learning about Willis retiring too?

[sflegend89]

Arthur Brown + 4th rounder for Vernon Davis anyone?

 

I feel for Borland though, that's a very tough decision to make at that age

[JO_75]

With the 15th pick, the San Francisco 49ers select........... Erick Kendricks LB UCLA

[Cville-Raven]

And a brutal offseason gets even more brutal.

[Gordo52]

Hard news for 49er fans..... anyone else get a guilty pleasure out of watching them suffer, though? http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=563496

Can't lie, this news would knock the wind of me if it happened with CJ....Just so shocking and is a bad look for the NFL.

[52520Andrew]

This is crazy

[Clmraven]

Wow, there is something seriously wrong going on over there. Poor torrey.

[darklight1216]

Hard news for 49er fans..... anyone else get a guilty pleasure out of watching them suffer, though?[/]http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=563496

Can't lie, this news would knock the wind of me if it happened with CJ....Just so shocking and is a bad look for the NFL.

I do and I'm not sure why. I mean it's not like they won the Superbowl or even the Thanksgiving game before that. And they're from the Nfc too.

But for some reason I'm loving it.

Oh actually I think I know why I like seeing this stuff: they never should have treated the other Harbs like that.

[redlobster]

With the 15th pick, the San Francisco 49ers select........... Erick Kendricks LB UCLA

 

No way that happens, Talk about a reach. Kendricks will be an average nfl ILB.

[AsianRice]

I do and I'm not sure why. I mean it's not like they won the Superbowl or even the Thanksgiving game before that. And they're from the Nfc too.

But for some reason I'm loving it.

Oh actually I think I know why I like seeing this stuff: they never should have treated the other Harbs like that.

They just totally underestimated Harbs' ability to hold the team together; his players had utmost respect for Jim and once he's gone, nobody has spirit and passion to continue playing one of the most physical sports. Morale is really important for team sport. 9ers deserved it for treating Jim like that. ...

[MrPlankton]

Jed York doesn't know how to run a football organization.

[Moderator 3]

Hard news for 49er fans..... anyone else get a guilty pleasure out of watching them suffer, though? http://www.footballsfuture.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=563496

Can't lie, this news would knock the wind of me if it happened with CJ....Just so shocking and is a bad look for the NFL.

  

I do and I'm not sure why. I mean it's not like they won the Superbowl or even the Thanksgiving game before that. And they're from the Nfc too.

But for some reason I'm loving it.

Oh actually I think I know why I like seeing this stuff: they never should have treated the other Harbs like that.

Maybe it has to do with the way their fans trolled us mercilessly for months?

[balfan23]

They just totally underestimated Harbs' ability to hold the team together; his players had utmost respect for Jim and once he's gone, nobody has spirit and passion to continue playing one of the most physical sports. Morale is really important for team sport. 9ers deserved it for treating Jim like that. ...

When ownership engages in an ego war with on field management, ownership wins (naturally) and the franchise loses. 

 

Angelos engaged in such a war with Davy Johnson. Davy left and the Os went into a 15 year tailspin. 

[Willbacker]

Sure looked like he was gonna be a Probowler. Its his decision to make and imo he should return 3/4s of his signing bonus.

[darklight1216]

Maybe it has to do with the way their fans trolled us mercilessly for months?

Oh yeah. How could I forget?

That and and all the bandwagon fans.

[GrimCoconut]

Pretty smart on his end though. Play pro football for a year, get a largely guaranteed salary and collect an entire year's worth of base salary. Then just quit. He obviously didn't see all the money, but last year he grossed at most $1,037,436. After agent fees and taxes he probably cleared around half that money but that's still good. He has a college degree and a half a million dollars and seemingly escaped pro football with no ill effects. Not bad for a year's work.

How about those Niners' fans though? They were calling that they drafted the next Ray Lewis or something and now he's gone. So much for DROY.

[52520Andrew]

Found this an interesting read from John Urschel on the subject

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/why-i-play-football/

[allblackraven]

Found this an interesting read from John Urschel on the subject

 

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/why-i-play-football/

He's interesting and very smart guy. I'd love to square off against him.

On a chess board, not on scrimmage line.

[Ed_Reed20]

Another great article from Grantland on the decision.

 

Link