Chris Borland. 49ers. Self esteem.
Self Esteem Comes from DOING Esteemable Acts, and it’s an Esteemable Acts to have the courage to make tough choices.
How many people, yet alone a 24-year-old, would walk away from a multi-million dollar NFL contract and the opportunity to make much more in the future? I bet not most folks. Yet, that’s what San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland did on Monday. Self esteem comes from doing Esteemable Acts. Amazing!
Chris Borland just completed his rookie season for the 49ers, when he announced that he was retiring from pro football. His reason: mental health and physical wellbeing. He chose not to be one of the many NFL casualties, who suffered long-term repetitive head trauma due to concussions. Head trauma and its severe consequences is not new to football, but of late, the issue has become more public. And, a few young athletes have made the choice to walk away, rather than live life like a vegetable. Chris Borland is walking away from a lucrative four-year contract, with the 49ers, worth about $3 million, which includes a $617,436 signing bonus. Some call him crazy; I call him courageous and smart. Self-esteem comes from doing Esteemable Acts.
Head injuries and the NFL.
Repetitive head injuries have become a major concern for the NFL over the past several years. Many ex-NFL players are suffering from chronic long-term neurological problems as result of concussions and head trauma they suffered during their careers. Everyone knows this is a problem, yet money is more powerful than common sense. In fact, how can any thinking person say if you repeatedly get banged in the head that you will not suffer severe injuries? According to a PBS report from 2014, 76 of 79 deceased NFL players were found to have some form of “brain disease.” In 2013, the NFL settled a $765 million class action lawsuit brought on by ex-players who said they suffer from illnesses due to head trauma. The suit alleged that the NFL covered up the long-term effects of head injuries.
Chris Borland said he began having doubts about his NFL future after what he believes was a concussion he suffered during his rookie training camp. He played through the injury because he was trying to make the team. Borland told ESPN, “I just thought to myself, ‘What am I doing? Is this how I’m going to live my adult life, banging my head, especially with what I’ve learned and know about the dangers?” It was after consulting with concussion researchers and former NFL players and discussing his concerns with his family, he came to the decision to retire.
And what a gentleman, he has decided to repay the 49ers part of his salary.
Money vs. Health and Well-being?
How much money is a person’s long-term health worth? Would you risk debilitating illness for your entire life for a chance to make millions of dollars?
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