Chris Borland smart to retire from NFL: #tellusatoday

Chris Borland, one of the top rookies last year, is retiring from the NFL. He is concerned about the long-term effects of head injuries. Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Chris Borland is one of my favorite Wisconsin Badgers of all time. It is a courageous and smart decision. He proved he could play with the best.

— Jamie Kahn

This is a smart move, considering the impact of head injuries and their lifelong effect.

The NFL is going to start seeing more early retirements if these types of injuries keep happening. Good luck in life, Borland.

— Francisco Prado

You had better not drive a car because you might get in an accident? Or go skiing because you might get a broken leg? Or saw a board, get on a ladder, sky dive or do anything but sit in a chair?

Borland knew of the dangers before signing on and wasting the NFL's time with training.

— Carol Ottinger

It is nice to see a young man take care of himself. The owners don't care; they use up guys like Borland and throw them away after a few years. This choice should be applauded. Sometimes you have to quit for your personal good.

— Timothy Brown

This is much ado about nothing. Everybody knows that smoking is terrible for your health, but still millions of Americans do it.

— Eric Anderson

All things considered — players retiring early, lawsuits and greed — the NFL will be as relevant as boxing in the next 20 years.

— Mark Bondi

NFL players retiring "early" will become more prevalent from here on out, and I think the league will evolve. In 15 to 20 years, the NFL just will become a league where every player, besides maybe kicker/punter and elite QBs, plays for even fewer years.

It may affect the product, but for all we know, it could turn into something even more popular. I honestly don't know if there is anything that can stop the business that is the NFL.

— Jared Glickman

We asked our followers for thoughts on Chris Borland's retirement and what the NFL should do in response. Comments from Twitter are edited for clarity and grammar:

What should the NFL do? Exactly what it has done. Wish him a wonderful life. Then work on better helmets and pads.

— @EricKjos

The NFL must brace itself because players may leave the game early as they get more scientific facts.

— @PlumbbobGreen

You can't fault the guy for being concerned about brain damage.

— @RockyMtnB5

And so begins the long and slow decline of American football.

— @28Loki

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.