I wouldn't be surprised to see more and more pro football players leave the game early like San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland, who is retiring after only one season.
Pro football has always been a brutal game, but the current game is much more violent. Why? The players are bigger, faster and stronger, creating more violent collisions.
The NFL has tried to cut down on the number of injuries with new rules, but it won't make much difference. If I were a skilled player, especially a receiver, I wouldn't want to catch a pass across the middle. On some Sundays, I cringe watching players get hit.
I have never understood why a player would return a punt with an opposing player barreling down on him at full speed. Of course the money is great and along with it comes the prestige, but I'm not sure it is worth it. I have seen a lot of former players walking around with that crab limp or mangled fingers, and the pain had to be or still is horrific.
Even linemen, with that constant pounding at the line of scrimmage on every play, have to be concerned with neck and shoulder damage.
I love football. I think it is a great game, one filled with passion and excitement. But I'm not sure I would have my child playing any further than the high school level. There are just too many life-changing plays in the game, more than ever before.
mike.preston@baltsun.com
twitter.com/MikePrestonSun