NFL player cites reading Noam Chomsky among reasons he quit playing pro football

[IDemo]

A professional football player says he walked away from the NFL, leaving more than $1 million on the table, after studying the works of Noam Chomsky and the Dalai Lama.

John Moffitt called the Denver Broncos last week from his Seattle home to say he wouldn’t be returning from a scheduled week off for the team because he’d lost his love for football and was no longer willing to risk his health.

The third-year offensive guard announced his retirement on Twitter with a shot at the NFL commissioner, who’s drawn criticism for inconsistent messages and policies on player health – particularly with regard to concussions.

“Football was fun but my head hurts-haha kidding roger goodell. I’m on to new things, thanks to everyone along the way!!!” Moffitt posted.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/11/12/nfl-player-cites-noam-chomsky-among-reasons-he-quit-playing-pro-football/

[Enrique]

1. he learned about Chomsky the same place I did

Moffitt said he began studying the writings of Chomsky, the influential linguist and political philosopher, and the head of Tibbetan Buddhism while studying sociology at the University of Wisconsin.

[ErikJ]

2. Wow. Putting a greater value on his ability to think than having a fortune

good for him!

[bluestate10]

4. I agree. Normally football players are macho, but that guy is using his head. nt

[JI7]

3. interesting, was it that he found there is more to life

and that making quick money was not worth risking his health/life ?

[brewens]

5. I just hear Joe DeLamielleure was suffering from that concussion syndrome

along with Tony Dorsett and a few other big names. As a pretty fair college prospect in the late 70's I had DeLamielleure's picture on my locker. I was never a huge fan of O.J. Simpson but DeLamielleure was one of the "Electric Co." that made the juice flow!

Knee and shoulder injuries probably cost me a scholarship at Boise State. In two years starting on our high school offensive line, the only guy that got a QB sack off me started at defensive tackle for the Washington Huskies before he was seriously injured, costing him an NFL career. I had wanted to play at Idaho earlier in high school but they were well known for not recruiting in their backyard in those days. At least so far as not wanting a home town kid on their team unless you were a real blue chip prospect. I was close enough to get ignored by them.

I have an artificial knee courtesy of all that high school football and need shoulder surgery. By the time I played my last game as a high school senior, I really didn't want to play anymore. It really amazes me that some guys make it through high school and college and are still able to play. You really have to be lucky as far as I'm concerned.

I don't blame Moffitt for calling it quits. What we know of pros that are disabled is probably really just the tip of the iceberg. I wonder what we'd be willing to accept? If it was 10%, those guys would probably roll the dice for all that money. What about 30%? Maybe they would but as a fan, I think I'd say stop it. It would be pretty hard to watch if you know 30% of those guys would be totally debilitated by age 60.