There has been a trend in the NFL of more players retiring before reaching the age of 30, bringing up the question of whether there is a "culture shift" among players leaving the game earlier rather than later, according to ESPN's Wendi Nix. Recent retirements by Patriots LB Jerod Mayo and Lions WR Calvin Johnson have brought the issue to the forefront, but ESPN's Darren Woodson said the trend "doesn't surprise me," as players today "make more money" than in the past. Woodson: "They don’t have to play into their 30s. They make enough money right now." He added, "It's not just about playing in the NFL and having a long career. It's about springboarding your NFL career to your business career." ESPN's Ryan Clark: "We're not teaching them that you have to give everything and get everything out of this anymore. ... It is changing the mindset that maybe I don't have to play every snap my body has in it in order for me to be okay after retirement.” Dolphins WR Greg Jennings: “Players are more aware of their bodies themselves, and we're becoming more mindful of head injuries, concussions." He added, "Financial stability is there because of the contracts that we're able to sign nowadays, and that's no longer tying us to the game” (“NFL Live,” ESPN, 2/17). Ravens DE Chris Canty said, "It sure feels like guys are walking away a lot earlier. ... They only want to play long enough that they can get the financial security that they need for the rest of their lives. Then they’re looking at it and saying, ‘Okay, now that I’ve got that, going back out on the football field and ... risking future injury is not worth it to me.’” NBCSN’s Carolyn Manno: “The money has essentially changed the game because now guys can say, ‘I’m going to make X, Y and Z, and I don’t even have to worry about what could happen down the line” (“PFT,” NBCSN, 2/17).
MAKING THE SMART DECISION: SI.com’s Andrew Perloff said people are going to look at Mayo as another young NFL player who retired "to avoid concussion issues.” But he added, "Guys are smart, if they have the money, to shut it down.” Producer Paul Pabst: “It seems like this is becoming the norm in the industry now” (“The Dan Patrick Show,” 2/17). ESPN’s Max Kellerman said players retiring early are “smart," as they "want to live real lives after the NFL.” Kellerman: “I don’t think this is bad for the league. I think it’s good for the league, because the fewer banged-up and beat-up and compromised lives that NFL players live after they’re retired ... the better it’s going to be for the league long-term” (“SportsNation,” ESPN, 2/17). Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio noted former 49ers LB Chris Borland is “the only young player who has specifically cited concerns about concussions" for his early retirement. Florio: "If they had quarterbacks walking away at the height of their game -- 29, 30, 31 years old -- then it becomes a problem because already there aren’t enough quarterbacks to go around” ("PFT," NBCSN, 2/17).
