Detroit Lions

Barry Sanders says he's surprised NFL players are retiring due to the 'concussion thing'

Published Apr. 8, 2016 2:33 p.m. ET

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In July 1999, Detroit Lions Hall of Fame legend Barry Sanders retired from the NFL when he was only 31 years old and in the prime of his career.

At the time, much less was known about concussions and CTE, but as Sanders revealed Thursday night in a conversation with Steiner Sports, he hung up his cleats not because of injury but because "something left" him. He lost his passion for the game that fueled him to Canton.  

That's kind of ironic coming from the most prominent example of a football player walking away from the game "early."

Legendary wide receiver Jerry Rice expressed a similar sentiment about Johnson's retirement in February. "It's just unfortunate to see him [walk away]." Rice said. "I was just coming into my prime at his age."

Nevertheless, guys like Marshawn Lynch (at age 29), Jerod Mayo (30) Patrick Willis (30) and Chris Borland (24) haved opted to move on rather than hang on to NFL careers.

Retirement, rather than battling through injuries, including concussions, is becoming a new normal in the NFL. Believe it or not.

Calvin Johnson

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