Bounties, brain injuries and Junior Seau's suicide -- apparently it all became too much for Jacob Bell, who has abruptly decided to retire from the NFL after eight seasons. Bell, a guard, called Seau's death the "cherry on top" as he mulled his decision. "I've been thinking about some different things, thinking about health, thinking about the future of my family having to deal with some kind of crazy disease that nobody even knows about, where people want their brains studied after they're dead. Donating their brains to research," Bell tells the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "It's just crazy to see how someone like Junior Seau took his own life over -- God knows what he was really struggling and dealing with. But you have to believe it came from the game of football. I want to get out before the game makes me get out, where I can get out on my own terms, and I can limit the amount of stress and negative impact that the game would leave on me." Source: USAToday
I can't blame him. He is worried about his health, nothing wrong with that. If he was responsible with his money, he is set for life. Now he can pursue other avenues he enjoys.
Kudos to Bell. Nothing wrong with retiring. He isn't blaming anyone, isn't crying about injuries, just saying he doesn't want to be a backup with the potential health issues.
He got a 6 year, $36m contract with us a couple years back, admittedly he was cut short of those years but I'm sure when invested right you could easily live off of it.
This. Good for him. I don't know why the heck a player's suicide had to be the 'cherry on top', but props for him having the balls to walk away from the sport.
jesus thats a lot of money for him i stand corrected. idk i still think hes a cat for quitting, hes living my dream (playing a childs game for a big income) and walked away so heck him lol
Agree. People live off a lot less...good for him going out on his "own terms" rather than on a cart or stretcher. I can respect that.
I wouldn't want someone who's worried about their health on my team. Are they going to give 100% on every play? Are they going to make tackles and blocks even if it might injure them?
i wish nothing but work related injuries upon him for all of his future endeavors i dont really know why this offends me so much lol
Well at the time it seemed okay because he was a decent, improving young guard which the Rams desperately needed; however, he couldn't carry it over to STL. Still, I believe he's made the best decision. He's made the majority of money that he's gonna get out of the NFL, whilst increasing the chances of being able to live a proactive live without physical and mental hindrances.
I don't understand how people can be making fun of this guy? He plays a position that takes a GIANT beating every single down. The dude doesn't want to be a meatball with all the crap going on in the league. He wants to be able to play with his kids. He wants to be able to think CLEARLY. He wants to be able to walk. Bounties are going to continue in the NFL. He doesn't want to be a zombie. And I clearly understand why Seau was the cherry on top. If you're doubting already and then you see a guy the world thought was beyond happy and in a great place off himself, who knows how hecked up you get in the head. Much respect to this guy. He wants to live a long fruitful life, good for him. Anyone who wishes ill harm on this dude is a vile human being, period.
i'm fine with people making a choice not to do something. it's their life. they can do what they want. but, for all of you who find this disturbing, if the league can ever figure out an airtight legal waiver for these guys to sign, it may be the best thing for your enjoyment of the game because it will get rid of all the pussies who won't have lawsuits to fall back on later in life.
They were just talking about all the concussion stuff and suicides on ESPN. They mentioned every player and the grand total was less than 10. Seriously? That's what all this hype is built off of? 10 out of thousands?
I'm liking Bell's proactive stance & that there's a good chance we won't see his name added down the road to some silly lawsuit. But then again... As long as this judicial system allows lawyer driven plaintiffs to use the courts as a chess board to negotiate settlements by threat of lengthy, expensive cases or worse, verdicts awarded to plaintiffs for common sense issues, there won't be any chance for an "airtight" waiver. Welcome to the new NFL where the most violent & bloody battles will be waged in the courtroom, not on the field... :icon_rolleyes:
