article_snippet: (CNN)It was a ding, just a "minor concussion," that got Chris Borland thinking that playing football might not be worth the millions that come with being an NFL player.
article_snippet: Chris Borland was a rookie linebacker in Chris Borland first training camp in August when Chris Borland got Chris Borland "bell rung," Chris Borland told ESPN's "Outside The Lines.
article_snippet: What did Chris Borland do?
article_snippet: Chris Borland kept playing that day, and through an excellent rookie season.
article_snippet: But the thought of the permanent damage that might be happening to Chris Borland kept nagging at Chris Borland.
article_snippet: Chris Borland talked to Chris Borland teammates and family, read about concussions and his teammates and family effects, each day coming closer to the decision that Chris Borland finally announced this week.
article_snippet: At age 24, not even yet in Chris Borland prime as an NFL player, Chris Borland told Chris Borland team Chris Borland was retiring because Chris Borland was worried about the long-term effects of head trauma.
article_snippet: It was after that self-described "minor concussion" in the preseason that Chris Borland threw Chris Borland into researching what had happened to other football players.
article_snippet: In the end Chris Borland didn't want to leave Chris Borland teammates in a bind, but, "I know this is right for Chris Borland.
article_snippet: Chris Borland said teammates' reactions to Chris Borland retirement were mixed.
article_snippet: One of Chris Borland best friends told Chris Borland that Chris Borland was crazy to walk away from the money.
article_snippet: Borland, a third-round pick from Wisconsin, had signed a nearly $3 million contract for four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers and banked a $600,000 bonus.
article_snippet: The guys who wanted Chris Borland to come back would say to the 49ers top tackler, "That's a lot of money.
article_snippet: Why don't you get your money and get out," Chris Borland recounted to ESPN.
article_snippet: The thought made Chris Borland uncomfortable because Chris Borland doesn't want to do anything just for a big paycheck.
article_snippet: Chris Borland didn't want to be wrong when it comes to this: "Who knows how many hits are too many?
article_snippet: Chris Borland is one of a handful of players to retire young but possibly the first to retire before concussions became an issue for Chris Borland.
article_snippet: Chris Borland's also now part of a shift in thinking about what repeated head injuries can do to an athlete.
article_snippet: Others say that while the move might be smart for Chris Borland, and even encourage other players to speak out and stand up for Others health, there will always be plenty of guys eager to replace players like this.
article_snippet: Chris Borland told ESPN that Chris Borland wasn't saying no one should play football.
article_snippet: Chris Borland said youth players and their parents should do things: 1) Get informed about concussions and 2)
article_snippet: Borland named three players Borland said made Borland rethink a life in the NFL.
article_snippet: Some on social media said Borland's decision made Some on social media think about former the NFL linebacker Junior Seau.
article_snippet: In NFL statement about Borland's retirement, Jeff Miller, NFL's senior vice president for health and safety, said: "health and safety respect Borland decision and wish Borland all the best.
highlights_snippet: Chris Borland tells ESPN that "I know this is right for Chris Borland"
  San Francisco 49ers linebacker quits, citing players with concussion disorder, says Chris Borland wants to "be proactive"
  Some former players who suffered from conditions related to concussions have committed suicide .