March 11, 2015

News/views: Worilds retires at 27 … for real

by Dejan Kovacevic • News/views • Steelers

BY DEJAN KOVACEVIC

News: Jason Worilds intends to retire from football, according to his agent, Jason Bernstein.

Views: Wow. That’s actually real.

Here’s the full statement put onto Twitter by Bernstein, as attributed to Worilds: “I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days. With that being said, after much thought and consideration, I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests. I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”

Obviously, I’ll be up for as long as it takes to get you a full column on this.

Jason Worilds wraps up the Jets’ Michael Vick Nov. 9 in East Rutherford, N.J. — GETTY

26 Comments Newest to oldest

JFN514

3-11-2015, 12:42 am

Congrats on covering this while 93.7 FM completely ignores it...

3-11-2015, 12:45 am

They finally picked the story up...

WildcatRay

3-11-2015, 6:49 am

I'll take the high road and say that they wanted to be certain the reports were true.

(I almost spit my coffee out laughing when remembering "Sum Ting Wong" and "Wee Too Lo".

Abdulmaliksteelersfan

3-11-2015, 12:43 am

Wow! But I respect his decision as he must know better. To walk away from at least 15 million in two years is never easy and he must have pretty good reason.

mitchellbiasucci

3-11-2015, 12:44 am

Worilds ruined my sleep for tonight.

Matt Davis

3-11-2015, 12:46 am

talk about a curveball

tblair71

3-11-2015, 12:47 am

interesting...

jimmy streich

Sad but he made more money last year than most of us will our entire lives. If he's happy than that's all that matters he's getting out before injury or brain damage forces him out.

baldonieri

3-11-2015, 12:51 am

Huh. He's walking away from a dump truck full of cash. Good for him. With all the early onset dementia that is so prevalent, I wonder if that played into his thinking.
I hope we don't read about him in a few years as one of the retired players who have to declare bankruptcy.

nfontana85

3-11-2015, 7:15 am

who is paying him all this cash? I don't understand where ppl think he is going to get paid from. worldis was paid $1.3M per sack last year. grossly overpaid at $10M, there is a reason no one signed him during this 1st day. worldis wants a dump truck of cash but is not worth a fiat full of it.

WVStarship

3-11-2015, 12:55 am

Good luck, Jason. Here's to wishing you well in life's pursuits.

Biz

Thats two young guys leaving the NFL behind, the other being Locker

jordan

3-11-2015, 1:04 am

3 - Patrick Willis

danielhathaway7316

Isn't Retirement suppose to be after you accomplish something? Like you get a gold watch, have a party, all that. As far as I can tell this guy played 1 year out of his first 4 then played another for 10 million then jetted. Think someone should call the cops and arrest this thief.

rubinmd

3-11-2015, 1:25 am

This has to be about concussion risk. No matter how much money you're making, it's useless if you can't enjoy it. This is a solid rebuke against the NFL and their culture of wearing out the athletes that support the organization and then leaving them with no support.

3-11-2015, 7:12 am

I completely disagree. If your statement was the case why has Worldis waited until the end of the 1st day of free agency to retire? Why not pack it up right after making $10M last season? Worldis said no to any offer from the Steelers to hold out for more money as a FA. I Don't know if you noticed but teams passed on him through the day for other 3-4 OLB's. This is not a stand against the NFL, this is a man who is hurt no one wants to pay him so he is running away like a kid...

unipress_54ffd4e09ddd0

3-11-2015, 1:40 am

Willis in sf doing the same. A new mentality is emerging.

Immilton

3-11-2015, 1:43 am

I'll be up and looking forward to said column on this. WOW!

marty

3-11-2015, 1:45 am

I don't blame any NFL player for retiring early. Tony Dorsett's CTE diagnosis is making me struggle to watch the NFL.

Michael Dojcak

this must be a ruse

3-11-2015, 1:48 am

if he plays 2 more years, he socks away $20M. I can't see passing that up....

BillyBaduka

3-11-2015, 1:55 am

Worilds is (or was) not going to get that kind of money. Not for 7.5 sacks in a season.

3-11-2015, 7:03 am

who the hell is going to pay him $10M a year?

Dempsey

3-11-2015, 1:53 am

Sadly my first thought was operation shutdown. He could have signed a very nice contract than retire if he was a baseball player. But this isn't baseball.
It must be extraordinarily difficult for life in the NFL if you retire when you are about to make the biggest contract of your life.
God bless you & God speed Mr. Worlds. Only you know what is best for you & your family.
(PS If you want to come back please don't hesitate. You the man!)

unipress_54f578928c261

3-11-2015, 6:16 am

4-3 defense coming up

karbil2

3-11-2015, 6:39 am

DK, I saw your alert in the middle of night and couldn't believe it! Thought to myself what the heck is going on!

News/views: Worilds retires at 27 … for real

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