Ravens OG retires, CTE a likely factor

[n1997y]

Potential starting center, retiring to pursue a PhD in mathematics at MIT. Unnamed source suggests the CTE study influenced his decision:

Urschel is a mathematician, and he said the head trauma after a 2015 concussion impacted his ability to think, according to Hensley: "I think it hurt my ability to think well mathematically. It took me about three weeks before I was football-ready. It took me a little bit longer before my high-level visualizations ability came back."

Ravens OL John Urschel Retires After CTE Study, Continues Pursuit of MIT Ph.D.

 

[bbobbo]

thread title is misleading. should be:

Ravens OG retires, CTE study a likely factor

otherwise it sounds like he retired because he has CTE.
.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

Smart guy, thinking is important to him

 

[Brick27]

Good for him. He was also probably realizing that simply spending time in the same room/on the field with Ravens players does in fact make you dumber. Too smart of a guy to let that happen.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Same guy in those commercials?

Good for him.

 

[Kontradiction]

On the subject of CTE, I'm sure it will damage the product from a talent standpoint within 10 years or so, but I'm not quite sure it will destroy it completely. Honestly, I probably will be against my kid playing football. I've had many times when I played that I've gotten hit so hard that my ears were ringing afterward and I had trouble recalling all of the game but stayed in anyway. I've had times where I've been woozy and nauseous afterward as well so I'm sure I've had undiagnosed concussions in the past between that and boxing.

That being said, while I'm sure I won't be alone in being against my kid (should it be a boy, anyway) playing football, I'm also positive that those that come out of poorer situations will still go on to play. For some of these kids, the game is the only way to obtain a college scholarship and many will still go on to play the game professionally. So, while CTE studies coupled with Goodell's complete stupidity as a commissioner will surely hurt the game, I'm not sure they will kill the game completely.

 

[RelocatedPatFan]

Good for him.

Hopefully, and I have no reason to think otherwise as he sounds like a man with a plan, he's been good with his money and can be comfortable in his "active retirement".

And if it means the Ravens lose a solid starter, I'll take it.

Active Retrement - for me means you don't need the money to live, but can choose to work or not work - get to follow your passion or work at your own pace.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I only wish I was brain damaged enough to get a mathematics PhD from MIT.
Best wishes in his new career.

 

[Rob0729]

Are we sure he isn't using CTE as an excuse to avoid admitting retiring is better than playing for the Ratbirds and having to protect Jump Ball Joe for 30 seconds each play while he waits for his receivers to run 50 yards down he field?

 

[AzPatsFan]

Studying in Cambridge, I think he would make an excelent "shadow roster" interior lineman. He need n't be on the roster but as long as he studies the play book and stays reasonably fit, he could be brought back on to the Pats for an emergency for a few games.

He wouldn't be poached, as he needs to be at MT for his studies. I'd give up a 7th round pick to the Ravens for his rights if he is amenable to the idea.

Opinions anybody?

 

[Galeb]

Wanted the Pats to draft him and was bummed he went to the Ravens. Wish him the best in his post-football journey.

 

[captain stone]

I wanted Bill to draft Urschel too. He graduated from Penn State, so we heard & read a lot about him here before the draft.
Bill could've come out of that 2014 draft with Joel Bitonio, Urschel & Laurent Duvernay Tardif; he instead ends up with Dom Easily, Cam Phlegming & Jonny Halapio. At least he's now acquired my other 1st-round binky from 2014, Kony Ealy.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Studying in Cambridge, I think he would make an excelent "shadow roster" interior lineman. He need n't be on the roster but as long as he studies the play book and stays reasonably fit, he could be brought back on to the Pats for an emergency for a few games.

He wouldn't be poached, as he needs to be at MT for his studies. I'd give up a 7th round pick to the Ravens for his rights if he is amenable to the idea.

Opinions anybody?

MIT is overrated. Wheaton, Stonehill or Bridgewater State are closer.