Patrick Willis and Justin Smith to Retire

[UKMustangFan]

Umm, whoa. Justin Smith & Patrick Willis to Retire

Smith, not to unexpected, but Willis is a shocker to me.

[MJAlltheWay24]

Willis retiring is definitely a shock to me. I would have thought he'd have another 3-5 pretty good years left in him if he wanted.

[futurecoach]

Umm, whoa. Justin Smith & Patrick Willis to Retire

Smith, not to unexpected, but Willis is a shocker to me.

 

Wow didn't see that coming at all!

[plantmanky]

Justin Smith was one of only a few good draft picks the Bengals had back during the bad days. He had a very good career.

[mcpapa]

Umm, whoa. Justin Smith & Patrick Willis to Retire

Smith, not to unexpected, but Willis is a shocker to me.

 

This.

[theguru]

Put me with everyone else.

[HammerTime]

Can't say I blame them. Hopefully they saved the money and will have a nice healthy retirement.

[Bengal Maniac]

Gotta be something injurious to Willis is all I can think. If he handled his $$ well, he is set for life. Good for him. Smith was a baller, plain and simple. Very good player. This is gonna hurt the 49ers, no doubt. They will finish 3rd or 4th in the division now.

[cathbird]

Surprised by Willis, but i don't blame him at all. 7 pro bowls, millions of dollars in the bank, and a healthy body is a good takeaway from the NFL.

 

Never forget.

[uk#1fan]

I would have loved to see Smith play for the Steelers one year.

[Clyde]

2nd year LB Chris Borland was expected to take the place of Willis.

 

Instead, he retired today. Said he didn't want to risk brain injury.

[NEERFAN]

The Niners are having a horrible off-season.

[cathbird]

I know a few guys who played against Borland in college. They said he was the hardest hitter they ever had to go up against, and that led with the crown of his helmet a lot. Sad to see him retiring. I hope he takes a year off and then comes home and plays for the Bengals.

[halfback20]

I know a few guys who played against Borland in college. They said he was the hardest hitter they ever had to go up against' date=' and that led with the crown of his helmet a lot. Sad to see him retiring. I hope he takes a year off and then comes home and plays for the Bengals.[/quote']

 

If he truly doesn't want to risk brain injury, he won't be coming back.