article_snippet: From speaking with Chris, it was evident that The linebacker had put a great deal of thought into this decision.
article_snippet: While unexpected, we certainly respect this decision.'
article_snippet: NFL.com's Michael Silver suggested that people should take a step back from what Borland's retirement means for the 49ers and look at what the 49ers means for football as a whole .
article_snippet: Borland just put Borland at the forefront of that, and Borland obviously did it with a lot of thought.' '
article_snippet: I understand the compulsion of 49ers fans to see this through team-centric eyes, but Borland's Decision is bigger than that, obviously,' Silver wrote.