Former Washington Football Team tight finish Jordan Reed mentioned he is retiring from the NFL due to lingering points from a number of concussions suffered all through his profession.
“I used to be fairly positive I used to be going to maintain taking part in; I used to be feeling good about the place I used to be at,” Reed instructed ESPN. “However then I had some lingering results and sought out skilled assist to get recognized. They instructed me it was not a good suggestion to maintain taking part in. I agreed with them.”
Reed visited Orlando’s Plasticity Heart in late winter for a mind scan. He mentioned primarily based on the outcomes it was advisable he retire. Reed mentioned it took him some time to make the choice.
“Earlier than once I had a concussion I’d really feel higher afterwards and I would not have lingering results,” Reed mentioned. “If I did not have any signs I’d have stored taking part in,” he mentioned. “I am OK with it as a result of I do know the explanation why I am making the selection is for household and my youngsters, so I might be there for them. It is simply time.”
Reed, 30, performed seven seasons with Washington and spent final yr with San Francisco, catching 355 passes with 28 touchdowns in a profession typically slowed by accidents. He performed 10 video games with the 49ers final season, catching 26 passes.
When wholesome, Reed scared opposing defenses due to his quickness to beat one-on-one matchups with linebackers and his dimension (6-foot-2, 242 kilos) to beat safeties. It is why, in 2015, Reed caught 87 passes for 952 yards and 11 touchdowns and was a key purpose Washington gained the NFC East. He made his lone Professional Bowl look after the next season.
However accidents restricted Reed all through his profession, as he by no means performed in additional than 14 video games in a season and 3 times performed in 10 or fewer. He suffered not less than seven documented concussions and handled soft-tissue accidents in addition to knee and toe points. Fractures in his large toes led to him needing surgical procedure and affected his recreation over a number of seasons.
Reed mentioned he is getting concerned within the hashish trade after counting on marijuana to assist along with his accidents. He mentioned he already owns some property within the trade, however is in search of companions.
“I all the time knew the risks of opioids,” Reed mentioned. “I selected to lean on hashish for lots of that ache.”
In 2019, Reed appeared to have regained his recreation with a robust coaching camp. Reed mentioned on the time he felt he was again to his outdated self, and quite a few teammates and coaches agreed.
However within the third preseason recreation, Atlanta security Keanu Neal drilled Reed on a go that resulted within the tight finish having one other concussion. Neal was fined $28,075 for the hit. Reed tried to return however by no means performed in a recreation that season and signed with the 49ers in the offseason. Reed mentioned he nonetheless felt the results of that hit throughout the 2020 season.
Reed entered the College of Florida as a quarterback, however moved to tight finish after one season. He performed properly sufficient for Washington to draft him within the third spherical in 2013.