STrib: LB A.J. Tarpley retires from football to 'preserve my future health'

[BleedGopher]

per the STrib:

A.J. Tarpley, the quick, hard-hitting Star Tribune Metro Player of the Year linebacker from Wayzata who went on to star at Stanford and make it as an undrafted free agent in the NFL, retired from football Wednesday.

Tarpley, 23, said he suffered two concusions during his rookie season, the third and fourth of his football career. He made the announcement on his Instagram account.

"The only thing comforting about not knowing this play would be the last of my career, is knowing that I never took a second for granted. After months of introspection, I am retiring from football. I suffered the 3rd and 4th concussions of my career this past season and I am walking away from the game I love to preserve my future health. This decision is the hardest I've made yet but after much research and contemplation I believe it's what is best for me going forward. I'd like to extend my gratitude to everyone that helped me along the way. Thank you to my coaches at Wayzata and Stanford, and to lifelong friends that I was blessed to call teammates. You all molded me into the man I am today. To my family, I'll never be able to repay your unwavering support and love, I just hope that I can continue to show how gracious I am and make you proud. I also want to thank the Buffalo Bills organization, coaches, and teammates for helping me fulfill my lifelong dream in the NFL. Last but not least, I'm proud to be a part of #BillsMafia and playing in front of the best fans in the league is something I won't forget. Thank you God for all that you have blessed me ?. I'm excited for my future."

http://www.startribune.com/former-w...tball-to-preserve-my-future-health/374836551/

Go Gophers!!

 

[A_Slab_of_Bacon]

Understandable, hopefully he doesn't have any later problems.

 

[MNVCGUY]

It won't surprise me if more and more players that have struggled with concussions already decide to walk away as opposed to continuing to put themselves at risk by playing. I know there is plenty of debate about concussions and football but one thing that doesn't seem to be disputed is that once you have a concussion it is easier for it to happen again. I can see fringe guys walking away like A.J. did in order to protect their long term health.

Seems like a sharp kid so my guess is he took advantage of his time at Stanford to set himself up for life after football.

 

[Gophers7NatTitlesBadgers0]

Teams are going to be reluctant to give rookies significant guaranteed money over this issue. Why would a team risk giving a rookie close to 17M, Winston received 16.7M guaranteed for signing, if they turn around and claim CTE is forcing them to retire from football after the check clears?

 

[short ornery norwegian]

Teams are going to be reluctant to give rookies significant guaranteed money over this issue. Why would a team risk giving a rookie close to 17M, Winston received 16.7M guaranteed for signing, if they turn around and claim CTE is forcing them to retire from football after the check clears?

Point of clarification. CTE can only be definitively proven with an autopsy - so they would have to be claiming they are retiring because of concerns about possible CTE.

On the financial issue, I suppose that depends on whether the contract is insured. (of course, you have to wonder if any insurance company would issue a policy to protect a FB team against concussions.)

Given the potential earnings, I suspect there will still be plenty of athletes who will be willing to take the risk of possible injury in order to chase the paycheck.