Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor, March 16, 2015
Former Wisconsin linebacker and 2013 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year Chris Borland announced Monday night that he is retiring from the NFL over concerns about head trauma.
[ MORE: Read foxsports.com's story on Chris Borland's decision ]
Borland, fresh off a standout rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers, announced the decision on ESPN's Outside the Lines.
"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."
Borland, a third-round pick in the 2014 draft, registered 107 tackles, one sack and two interceptions as a rookie last season.
The Wisconsin family went to Twitter to tweet support to Borland.
Pleasure playing with you Chris Borland @UWBadgers and against you for the @49ers
— Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) March 17, 2015
Praying for you. #OnWisconsin
Happy and proud for @ChrisDec26,& thankful I got the opportunity to call him a teammate. Special athlete, but yet the best is yet to come...
— Bradie Ewing (@bewing34) March 17, 2015
https://twitter.com/abbrecadabra/status/577667919368323073@ChrisDec26 bro honored to play with you and also you being a man by making the decision a lot of people wouldn't. Congrats 2 a gr8 career
— Chris Maragos (@ChrisMaragos) March 17, 2015
Borland is one of the toughest and smartest that I have ever witnessed play this game...Supporting his decision without question
— Jordan Fredrick (@jsfredrick9) March 17, 2015
Nothing but love and respect for you @ChrisDec26. At the end of the day there are bigger things than the game of football #priorities
— Beau Allen (@Beau_Allen) March 17, 2015
It was a honor playing with Chris Borland at UW, I wish him nothing but the best!
— Kevin Zeitler (@kzeit70) March 17, 2015
they're going to make a 30 for 30 on Borland in the future for spearheading the head trauma issue in the NFL, have 2 respect that decision
— Kyle Costigan (@KCostigan54) March 17, 2015
Nothing but luv @ChrisDec26 !
— Marcus Cromartie (@Cromartie_M) March 17, 2015
There are a lot of things in life bigger than football...Great deal of respect to my good friend @ChrisDec26 #OnWisconsin
— Pat Muldoon (@PatRickMuldoon_) March 17, 2015
h/t: @dave_heller
