Chris Borland told his family from the beginning that he might play only one year in the NFL.
Borland, the Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate who shocked the football world by announcing that his rookie season would be his last, has been telling his loved ones that from Day One. Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports reports that Borland told his family before the season started that his career might only last a year, and as a result his parents and all five of his siblings made a point of getting to the games so they could see his career while it lasted.
It’s unclear whether Borland also told the 49ers or his teammates that he was thinking of walking away after a year. There were no indications heading into last year’s NFL draft that Borland was planning such a short career. The 49ers drafted him in the third round.
Borland’s dad told Garafolo that he’s proud of his son for making the decision that was right for him.
“I think maybe it’s one of those affirming things as a parent, you know, that maybe somewhere along the line you accidentally did something right,” Jeff Borland said. “Chris has had a great network of friends and family, beginning with his sister and brothers. So when it came time to make the decision, the support for his decision was unanimous and very positive. And I think maybe that helped him do it.”
Borland made a decision few would make, but from all accounts it was the right decision for himself and his family.