NFL: After 8 seasons, a star & nice guy retires at age 30

[MrNoBody]

Torrey Smith, Maryland grad and Virginia native announced his retirement from football
after eight years and two SuperBowl championships as a wide receiver.

SportingNews - wrote:
"Dear football, I knew this day would come, and to be completely honest, I've been preparing for it my entire career,"
Smith said during a three-plus minute video posted on Twitter. "You and I both
knew the game for me wouldn't last forever. It's the NFL circle of life and I'm
prepared for what's next.

"God put you in my life for a reason, and I'm sure it wasn't about Xs and Os.
Every catch, every drop, every win, every loss, every trade, every cut — all of it
was a part of my journey. But remember, football is what I did. It's not who I am.
I'm looking forward to using the platform you have given me to continue to serve
my true purpose changing my community for the better."
...Smith, 30, finished his career with 319 catches for 5,141 yards and 41 touchdowns.
He won Super Bowl titles with the Ravens and Eagles.

Sporting News

His NFP charity The Torrey Smith Family Fund (aka Torrey Smith Foundation)

[vision63]

Good for him. He's had some great seasons and he's done well for himself. He's in a position to have a nice new chapter.

[sekker]

Seems to be leaving before he has too much brain damage, too.

[vision63]

sekker wrote:
Seems to be leaving before he has too much brain damage, too.

He got cut so hope that's the case.

[Numo]

sekker wrote:
Seems to be leaving before he has too much brain damage, too.

That can show up later. However, he’s doing the right thing if he wants to mitigate his chances of developing problems. It’s worth remembering that brain damage doesn’t necessarily begin in pro ball - if you make it that far, you’ve probably been playing football for many years already.

And something else worth remembering is that brain damage isn’t necessarily a yes or no condition. People can have varying degrees of it. This means that someone who has a degree of damage may appear to be OK, but things like cognitive and emotional functioning have been notably degraded. Even mild to moderate head injuries can create a lifelong barrier to success in life.

[Rolando]

sekker wrote:
Seems to be leaving before he has too much brain damage, too.

I hope so too! OTOH Aaron Hernandez committed suicide at 27, and had lots brain damage!

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/aa...story.html

[$tevie]

I love Torrey Smith. I mean, love.