Bart Scott, a former NFL linebacker, recently shared the reason behind his decision to retire after the 2012 season. This revelation comes amidst increased attention on the issue of injuries in the NFL, following Tua Tagovailoa’s recent concussion incident.
Scott spent eleven seasons in the NFL, seven playing for the Baltimore Ravens and four with the New York Jets. He enjoyed a fairly decent career until his last two seasons with the Jets which were severely marred by on and off-field controversies and struggles. He was finally released by the Jets in 2013 after which he declared his retirement.
Scott revealed the reasons behind his retirement in the ESPN “Get Up” segment recently to raise more awareness on concussions in the sport. He, at 32, decided to fold it all after an injury or so people thought. Scott revealed that it was not because of a toe injury but because he was experiencing bouts of spots and lights.
Everybody thinks I retired because of my toe. I had reconstructive surgery on my toe when I left. But really it was because I started seeing spots and lightsBart Scott said
Amid this, Scott also highlighted the fact that the decision to retire didn’t come easy. He likened the fact to death. He said that he felt that athletes have two deaths, one while leaving the game and one that comes with life.
Leaving the game that you dedicated your entire life to is like a death. I tell people all the time, athletes have two deaths. You wake up the next day ... and you don't know what to do with the rest of your lifeBart Scott added while describing how he felt about retirement
Bart Scott: “Everybody thinks I retired because of my toe. I had reconstructive surgery on my toe when I left. But really it was because I started seeing spots and lights… I didn’t know what to do. I was like, you know what? It’s time to fold it up.” pic.twitter.com/G30ujgM20y
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 13, 2024
Bart Scott aside, doctor who first published about CTE thinks Tua Tagovailoa should retire
Bennet Omalu, the doctor who was among the first to publish research on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) in American football players believes that NFL quarterback Tua Tagovailoa should retire due to the risk of long-term brain damage.
If I were his brother, his father, his uncle, cousin, nephew, if I were a member of his family, I would beg him to retire.Bennet Omalu said, via TMZ Sports
Omalu has previously asked the quarterback to consider retirement after he suffered a concussion playing the Cincinnati Bengals in 2022. Although Tagovailoa considered retiring, he decided that he should keep playing.
As his future remains unclear as of now, Omalu also had a piece of warning for the 26-year-old Tagovailoa. Omalu feels that Tagovailoa has suffered his third concussion in his career, and the next one could deem him permanently incapacitated.