He Gave Up MILLIONS…The Story of CHRIS BORLAND
96He Gave Up MILLIONS…The Story of CHRIS BORLAND
He Gave Up MILLIONS…The Story of CHRIS BORLAND
He Gave Up MILLIONS…The Story of CHRIS BORLAND
Christopher Borland (born December 26, 1990[1]) is a former American football linebacker who played for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wisconsin, and was drafted by the 49ers in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He is one of the first NFL players to retire from professional football early in his career due to concerns of mid-term brain damage possibly inherent to the sport.[2]
Borland was selected with the 13th pick in the third round (77th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers.[13][14][15] Throughout training camp and preseason, he competed against 49ers veteran Michael Wilhoite for a starting inside linebacker position left absent by the injured NaVorro Bowman.[16]
In the last preseason game against the Houston Texans, Borland led the defense in tackles with six and returned an interception 34 yards for a touchdown.[17]
Borland got his first career start in Week 7 against the Denver Broncos after the 49ers All-Pro ILB Patrick Willis injured his toe against the St. Louis Rams during week six.[18] He led the 49ers defense with eight tackles, one tackle for loss and he recorded his first career sack against Peyton Manning; ultimately the 49ers were defeated 42–17.[19] In his second start filling in for Willis, he recorded 18 tackles, 15 solo and three tackles for loss against the St. Louis Rams. His 18 tackles were the most tackles for a single player league-wide and included a "suplex-like" tackle of running back Tre Mason.[20][21]
In a week 10 matchup against the New Orleans Saints, Borland recovered an overtime fumble that led the 49ers to a 27–24 victory. During the game, he recorded 17 tackles and he received his first ever NFL award, which was Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week.[22] In week 11, he was named NFC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance against the Eli Manning-led New York Giants where he was the first rookie linebacker in franchise history to get two interceptions in one game. He also led the team in tackles with 13 and had three passes defended.[23] Borland was selected as the NFL's Defensive Rookie of the Month for November.[24] On December 20, 2014, Borland was placed on season ending IR with an ankle injury.[25] He finished his rookie season with 108 tackles, one sack, and two interceptions, despite starting only 8 games.[26]
On March 16, 2015, Borland announced his retirement from the NFL citing concern of head trauma.[27] He received a $617,436 signing bonus when he inked a four-year rookie deal with the 49ers coming out of college but would be returning approximately three-quarters of this bonus to the team, or about $463,077.[28]