Chris Borland, CTE, and the Changing Face of the NFL

“I don’t think even the top neurologists truly understand the risks and the connections [between football and brain trauma]. There’s just too much unknown for me, and there have been too many tragedies for me to be comfortable playing." — Chris Borland, retired San Francisco 49ers Linebacker

On Monday, Chris Borland shocked the 49ers, and the world, by retiring. He was coming off a sensational rookie season. He is reasonably healthy. He is 24-years-old. And he was virtually guaranteed to start and continue building his career.

But what mattered to Borland wasn't gridiron glory, it was his quality of life. That's something he didn't see in large supply if he continued his NFL career. So he walked away. He walked away having made a decent salary for one year, but being far from set for life. To Borland, life was more important.

This came on the heels of an episode of "The Night Shift," a medical show set in Austin, Texas, in which a high school football player suffered a concussion and nearly died. It ended his career and, in his eyes, his future.

This is the landscape of football in 2015. The NFL protested, in the wake of Borland's announcement, saying the game has never been safer. That's probably true. But safer doesn't mean safe, or free from reasonable risk. So you have to wonder, will Borland start a trend?

Many have debated this, but it's impossible to know. In an offseason that's seen billions in contracts guaranteed, and a year where ratings have never been higher, clearly football still holds sway in America. But what about the future? Will parents now fear the consequences? If professional athletes in their prime — like Borland — are willing to walk away from the danger, shouldn't we all be concerned.

As a Broncos' fan, concussions have been a big topic the past few seasons. Wes Welker is a tough receiver, and was a great contributor. But his fearless style led to many concussions, and a legitimate fear about his post football life. It was rough to watch him take big hits, worried it might leave permanent damage. That is the game in 2015. These are the things we think about.

I love football. I get excited for Sundays in the fall, fantasy leagues, and all that goes along with my favorite sport. But if I had a child, I don't think I'd feel good about letting them play football. I don't think it's worth the risk. That was a sobering thought for me.

And my guess is I'm not alone.