The new awareness of brain injuries related to the sport has caused concerns among many players. Reports keep arising of many older, long-retired players quietly suffering from dementia out of the spotlight. In recent years, researchers have determined there’s a link between repeated concussions and the development of symptoms like depression and dementia as part of the long-term neurodegenerative disease chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
Borland is not the first high profile football player in recent months to cite safety concerns as the reason for retirement. Several days ago, seven-time All-Pro 49ers’ linebacker Patrick Willis made an announcement that he was choosing to retire so he would not risk further injury. The announcement from Willis came after linebacker Jason Worilds of the Pittsburgh Steelers, cornerback Cortland Finnegan of the St. Louis Rams, and quarterback Jake Locker of the Tennessee Titans announced their retirements during the off-season.
Borland, at age 24, is the youngest of the players retiring from the N.F.L. this year due to safety concerns. Borland has experienced two diagnosed concussions during his lifetime but may have suffered more undiagnosed ones. After speaking with concussion experts and reading more about the subject, he came to his conclusion that retiring would be the best thing for his health and safety. In an interview, Borland told ESPN, “From what I’ve researched and what I’ve experienced, I don’t think it’s worth the risk.”
Due to the concerns, the N.F.L. has adopted new protocols to properly diagnose concussed players and have outlawed certain kinds of hits that commonly result in concussions. It remains to be seen if these changes will allay the fears of the players or if Borland’s retirement will be the start of a wider trend throughout the industry.