More and more athletes are adhering to Marshawn Lynch’s warning to “protect your chickens”. Young NFL players are deciding to put their health first over the game. Maybe it is something the league will look at and see why so many young, talented players are deciding they’re better off walking away from the field. Don’t expect anything from a league that uses players until they can no longer perform.
Travis Fredrick
The Dallas Cowboys center is just the latest NFL player to announce his sudden retirement from the NFL. In a social media post, the Pro Bowler said he had played his last game of professional football.
“I made my return to the field, played well overall, and was selected to the Pro Bowl, but it was a difficult year for me. Each day I faced a struggle: I could no longer perform at my highest level. Playing ‘well’ is not what I expect of myself and is not what my teammates deserve. Because of this, I know my days as a football player are done. I am proud of what I have accomplished in my career, and I walk away with my head held high.”
via Twitter
He has focused his attention on helping in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic. His foundation, Blocking Out Hunger, is providing access to food for children. Frederick suffers from the autoimmune disease Guillain-Barré syndrome which kept him off the field in 2018.
Andrew Luck
In a tearful press conference, the quarterback announced he was hanging up his cleats. When Luck was first drafted he was the future of the league; he literally took over for Peyton Manning. While he lived up to the hype on the field, he had a problem staying on the field. During his six seasons, he suffered a lacerated kidney, a partially torn abdomen, a torn labrum in his throwing shoulder, torn cartilage in his ribs, a concussion, and a nagging ankle injury.
In his farewell conference, he explained the emotional toll this vicious cycle took.
 “It’s been unrelenting. I felt stuck in it. The only way I see out is to no longer play football. It’s taken my joy of this game away.”
The timing of the announcement, just two weeks before the beginning of the 2019 season, was stunning. His decision to walk away, maybe not so much. In week two of the preseason, he found himself on the sidelines once again. The joy of the game was once again lost in the physical pain.
Rob Gronkowski
Now, Rob Gronkowski’s sudden retirement is the second most shocking player to move on from the Patriots. Gronkowski suffered multiple injuries throughout his career and also decided his long term health was more important than football. When healthy, he was the best tight end in football. He won three Super Bowl rings with the Patriots, but the injuries started piling up.
He also made the decision to put his long term health over his playing career. He elaborated on his retirement decision saying that it wasn’t good for his mental health. In true Gronk fashion, he hasn’t fully ruled out a return to the field. He explained if he feels a passion for football again he will return to the field. Currently, he is enjoying his life as an NFL analyst on FOX Sports. Don’t expect a reunion in Tampa Bay with Tom Brady.
Calvin Johnson
It was a sad day for football fans when Calvin “Megatron” Johnson decided to walk away from the game. It was eerily similar to the early retirement of Detroit legend Barry Sanders. Johnson was by far one of the best athletes in the world when he made the decision to retire. It was hard to believe Megatron was having difficulties physically with his everyday routine.
In an interview with Michael Smith for ESPN’s E:60, Johnson explained, “It’s simple to get a concussion. I don’t know how many I’ve had over my career, but I’ve definitely had my fair share.” Johnson still played in the era where a concussion didn’t force a player out of a game.
Johnson still leads in almost all offensive categories for the Lions’ organization. Since retiring he has gotten married and became a father.
