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Chris Borland retires over head safety issues

By Charles Rahrig V

Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Chris Borland (50) stands on the field against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Levi
Nov 23, 2014; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Chris Borland (50) stands on the field against the Washington Redskins in the fourth quarter at Levi /
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The San Francisco 49ers off-season got even worse Monday night as stud rookie linebacker Chris Borland retired because of concerns of head trauma issues.

There has been another shocker in Santa Clara. Last week, Patrick Willis retired to the surprise of everyone. Now, the guy who was expected to take his place has retired too.

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Linebacker Chris Borland, who was one of the best rookies in the NFL last season has decided to hang it up after just one season in the NFL.

Borland had 107  tackles and a sack in his rookie campaign and was one of the bright spots in a down year for the 49ers.

Borland told ESPN’s Outside The Lines, that he is retiring because of concerns of the long-term effects that head trauma could have.

"Borland, 24, said he notified the 49ers on Friday. He said he made his decision after consulting with family members, concussion researchers, friends and current and former teammates, and studying what is known about the relationship between football and neurodegenerative disease.“I just honestly want to do what’s best for my health,” Borland told “Outside the Lines.” “From what I’ve researched and what I’ve experienced, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”"

After other players have retired from the game in the past couple of weeks, Borland is really the first to step to the forefront and retire because of his worries of potential head injuries.

It’s even more shocking that it’s coming after his rookie season.

Borland wants to be proactive about the situation and prevent any further potential damage he could receive.

"“I feel largely the same, as sharp as I’ve ever been, for me it’s wanting to be proactive,” said Borland. “I’m concerned that if you wait till you have symptoms, it’s too late. … There are a lot of unknowns. I can’t claim that X will happen. I just want to live a long healthy life, and I don’t want to have any neurological diseases or die younger than I would otherwise.”"

He was expected to take over the middle for the 49ers after Willis retired.

It has not been a good off-season for the 49ers. The team parted ways with Jim Harbaugh. Willis and Justin Smith retired and the team also lost Frank Gore, Mike Iupati and others to free agency.

If there was an award for worst off-season a team could have, the 49ers would take the award for this one.

It’s a terrible blow to their defense, but you can’t fault Borland for getting out before it’s too late. The issue of head safety has been growing every season, and now a prominent player has hung it up because of it.

Borland may have just set a precedent.

[H/T: OTL]

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