By Rich Kirchen
Former Wisconsin Badgers linebacker Chris Borland made the right decision and a courageous decision to retire from the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers after just one season, said a sports-concussion expert at the Medical College of Wisconsin.
“It’s surprising because you don’t see it happen,” said Dr. Kevin Walter, a sports medicine specialist in orthopedic surgery who runs a concussion clinic throughChildren’s Hospital of Wisconsin in Wauwatosa. “I can’t imagine what a difficult decision this guy had in light of the dream of playing in the NFL and all that money.”
Borland shook the NFL world Tuesday when ESPN reported he was retiring from the NFL because of his health concerns over head trauma. The NFL has faced increasing pressure — and litigation — from current and retired players to address concerns that players are at risk of long-term health problems and even early death due to football-related head injuries.
