Chris Borland Is Like Your Buddy That Suddenly Chose Not To Go Out And Get Wasted On A Tuesday
Yesterday, Chris Borland, a 24-year-old linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers, retired from the NFL. He didn’t retire due to injury, sickness, or lack of ability. In fact, he received a vote for NFL defensive rookie of the year last season, so it’s not like he was just some scrub who couldn’t hack it. This is a 24-year-old guy that stood to make tens of millions of dollars playing football, and, based on the potential he showed during his rookie season, could’ve ended up being a perennial Pro Bowler.
So why did he retire?
Well, basically, he weighed the earning potential of a career in the NFL against the odds of severe head trauma and brain disease that so many former players suffer from, and chose health over wealth, fame, and gridiron glory.
The whole world is talking about Borland’s decision to walk away from the game. Internet people have been loading their hot take cannons and firing out explosive opinions all day long. So many piping hot takes, so little time.
What interests me most about this whole situation, though, are the reactions of current NFL players. I mean, can you imagine how this would make you feel if you were in the NFL?
No offense to anyone but I'm playing until I can't anymore. I love this game to much.
— Bobby Wagner (@Bwagz54) March 17, 2015
Have you ever been super psyched to go out and get shitfaced on a random Tuesday night, and then one of your buddies, who we’ll call Tim, says, “You know what guys? I’m just gonna take it easy tonight and stay in, maybe watch some Netflix.”
Suddenly, everyone is asking, “What the fuck is Tim’s problem?”
“Does Tim have a secret girlfriend? A secret boyfriend? IS TIM A GAY?”
“Maybe it’s Tim’s time of the month, that bitch.”
“Tim is a fucking pussy!”
By 2:00am, you’re leading an entire bar full of strangers in a “FUCK TIM! FUCK TIM! FUCK TIM!” chant.
That’s what happens when someone decides to go against the grain. It makes everyone else uncomfortable. All the guys who were excited to go out, get sloppy drunk, and piss themselves after passing out, even though it’s Tuesday night, are now questioning their own decisions.
“Is there a good reason Tim isn’t going out? Maybe I shouldn’t go out. Am I a degenerate alcoholic?”
That initial confusion and unease quickly turns to frustration and anger.
“Does Tim think he’s better than me? Get off your fucking high horse, Tim. Pompous piece of shit. I’ll show him by getting extra drunk!”
Got to respect Borland for clearly putting thought into his decision. If you're not 100% committed to this game, better to walk away.
— Geoff Schwartz (@geoffschwartz) March 17, 2015
Guys deciding to walk away from the game at a young age is a great reminder to us all that life has a bigger picture. I wish them the best!
— Matt Overton (@MattOverton_LS) March 17, 2015
It's extremely difficult when you're living your dream of playing in the NFL as a 20-something to contemplate what life could be like at 50.
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) March 17, 2015
The anti-football crowd is loving the Chris Borland retirement. Doing their best to scare moms across the country.
— Danny Kanell (@dannykanell) March 17, 2015
Tim put getting hammered drunk on a Tuesday on one side of the scale, and being miserably hungover and unproductive on Wednesday on the other side of the scale, and BOOM, he made his choice.
Much like Tim, Borland put money and fame on one side of the scale, and quality of life after the NFL on the other side of the scale, and BOOM, he made his choice. Because that’s what this is — one man making a choice. Whether or not you agree isn’t the fucking point, because it’s not your choice. Put that in your hot take pipe and smoke it. .
[via ESPN]
Bobby Wagner is kind of a dick.
11 years ago at 5:07 pmYeah that shit was really passive aggressive
11 years ago at 6:44 pmHe used “to” instead of “too.” Signs of brain damage?
11 years ago at 7:25 pmNo, signs of being a black.
11 years ago at 10:03 pm^Would have gotten upvotes last week, thanks a lot SAE.
11 years ago at 2:21 amYou win some, you lose some.
11 years ago at 12:34 amTim’s such a pussy.
11 years ago at 5:08 pmPlayed football with Borland. Dude hits like a motherfucker.
11 years ago at 5:11 pmProps to the guy for doing what he thought was best for his future. I’m sure he can still invest what’s left of his 600k rookie contract and come out in a decent spot
11 years ago at 5:20 pmCan’t fault the guy for making a decision based on his health, but…as a Niner fan this has been the most epic team exodus since Harbaugh was fired
11 years ago at 5:26 pmWe’ll never know for sure but I bet Harbaugh would have convinced him to stay.
11 years ago at 5:29 pmTim is also the guy sitting in his cushy office job years later wondering if he should have gone out that Tuesday. I respect Borland’s decision but you don’t get second chances in life. You make the most out of it and if shit happens, shit happens.
11 years ago at 5:42 pmHis friend is the guy sitting in a cubicle years later wondering if he should have stayed home and prepared for his presentation that Tuesday night instead of going out and getting so shitfaced that he was hungover for three days. You don’t get second chances in life.
11 years ago at 9:39 pmDude can go back to Wisconsin, coach linebackers and be an ambassador while easily clearing 100k. All while remembering his children’s names. More power to him.
11 years ago at 6:05 pmSo you’re saying that someone who quit football because he thought it was hazardous to his health is now going to coach that very game? Why would anyone play for him? Sad to see such a waste of God-given talent.
11 years ago at 10:46 pmMaybe they would play for him because he was the Big Ten DPOY
11 years ago at 1:13 amJust sounds hypocritical is all I’m trying to say.
11 years ago at 9:41 amHypocritical? He doesn’t want to play, so as someone who would/did succeed in the NFL that still has the brain to coach… he is literally the best coach possible.
11 years ago at 6:20 pmI would be pissed if I was his agent. I would make it a point to remind him that after football that he will have to take life seriously. Why do that to yourself?
11 years ago at 6:10 pmSeems like Bobby Wagner has already felt the affects of being hit too often with his usage of “to” instead of too.
11 years ago at 6:15 pm*Effects. Oops.
11 years ago at 3:37 am