Sounds like he made the right choice. In my lifetime I have seen NFL Players who constantly get hurt yet still play, play hurt, or just play to damn long and suffer the consequences of their action down the road.
I was thinking today about the Steelers QB, Ben Roethlisberger. He's 37 and still at it. Meanwhile, he's had his bell rung a few times, both on and off the field. He should have stopped several years ago, but he's still playing. Why, I don't know. Is it really worth it to get banged up week after week, potentially causing yourself permanent damage that conceivably might shorten your life and for what -- a few extra million?
If you need money, start a second career. Many players go into business or entertainment, or do play-by-play or color commentary for football games. Some work in the front office, scout or coach.
Jack Lambert, the great Steelers linebacker, did it right. When his NFL career was over, he retired to his farm near Pittsburgh and all but disappeared from public life. I understand he coaches local kids' sports, but essentially, he doesn't have to do anything but tend to his farm. And in his NFL career, Jack didn't make nearly what most players make today.
