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Titans’ Kamerion Wimbley retires from the NFL

By Josh Criswell

Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Kamerion Wimbley (95) tackles Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) during the first quarter at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee Titans linebacker Kamerion Wimbley is stepping away from the game of football at the age of 31. Is this a sign of things to come for the NFL?

Kamerion Wimbley of the Tennessee Titans announced his retirement from the NFL earlier today after a nine year stint in the league with three different teams.

Here is the heartfelt announcement from Wimbley, via TwitLonger:

"“After nine incredibly gratifying and rewarding seasons in the National Football League, I am officially announcing my retirement. While I am grateful for the opportunity to play in the NFL, I am closing this chapter of my life and looking towards the future.I’d like to thank the National Football League for giving me the opportunity to play the game that I love. I’d like to thank the Browns, the Raiders and the Titans Organizations for believing in me and allowing me to represent their cities and I’d especially like to thank my family, friends, fans, teammates and coaches for their unwavering support and guidance over the years.While I still feel like I could be competitive on the field, at this point in my life, my family is my priority. Although my wife and two young daughters have always been incredibly supportive of my career, I am looking forward to spending more meaningful time with them and never missing another big moment in their lives!Words can’t express how grateful I am for my time in the NFL and I thank God for the irreplaceable opportunity; however I am equally excited for what this next chapter will bring.”"

While Wimbley is able to leave the game on his own terms before the athleticism that he based his style of play around diminished, it is hard not to think of the two other linebackers to retire this offseason much earlier than one would expect; the San Fransisco 49ers‘ Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, who were 30 and 24 years old, respectively, when they made their announcements.

Is there any relation between the three cases?

I believe so.

With Wimbley stepping away from the game at just 31-years old, you cannot help but notice the recent trend of players who are retiring with plenty of NFL-caliber play still left in the tank.

This trend has to be attributed largely to the revelations regarding the dangerous impact that concussions have on a player’s life after football. Research studies can show damning information, but seeing several former players taking their own lives as a result of multiple concussions incurred during their playing days is clearly hitting home with players in the NFL.

Good for Kamerion Wimbley. As he noted in his statement, the big reason he is stepping away from the game is to be there for his family, and I am happy for him to be able to do so before his NFL career took a heavy toll on the rest of his life.

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