49ers' Chris Borland retires over health concerns

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland has announced that he is retiring. The decision was announced on Monday.

Borland is retiring due to concerns on the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma. He becomes the biggest name in the NFL to retire while at his best because of concerns about brain injuries. He has said that he has had two diagnosed concussions, one in eight grade, and the other while a sophomore in high school. There has been more than 70 former NFL players that have been diagnosed with progressive neurological disease after they die, and numerous studies have shown connections between repetitive head trauma and football, according to ESPN. Borland made his decision after talking with family members, concussion researchers, friends, and current and former teammates. He also studied the relationship between football and neurodegenerative disease.

"I just honestly want to do what's best for my health," Borland said. "From what I've researched and what I've experienced, I don't think it's worth the risk. I feel largely the same, as sharp as I've ever been. For me, it's wanting to be proactive. I’m concerned that if you wait 'til 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."

Tent Baalke, the 49ers general manager, said, "While unexpected, we certainly respect Chris' decision. From speaking with Chris, it was evident that he had put a great deal of thought into this decision. He was a consummate professional from day one and a very well-respected member of our team and community. Chris is a determined young man that overcame long odds in his journey to the NFL, and we are confident he will use the same approach to become very successful in his future endeavors. We will always consider him a 49er and wish him all the best."

The 49ers drafted Borland, who is only 24, last year. He signed a four-year contract with them that was worth just under $3million and had a $617,436 signing bonus. He would have made $540,000 this year. Borland had a team-leading 108 tackles, a sack and two interceptions as a rookie, according to the Associated Press. He was the NFC Defensive Rookie of the Month in November, but didn’t play again after injuring his ankle in mid-December.

Borland is the fourth player who’s 30 or younger to retire in the last week. 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis, Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Jason Worilds, and Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker are the other players to retire in the last week.