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Tony Scheffler retires because of concussions

Tony Scheffler, Nate Burleson

Detroit Lions tight end Tony Scheffler (85) pretends to fence as he celebrates his second-quarter touchdown reception with teammate Nate Burleson (13) during an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Reinhold Matay)

AP

The Lions cut Tony Scheffler last year after he missed some time with concussions.

And now he’s calling it a career because of them.

Scheffler told the Associated Press he was retiring from the NFL after suffering three concussions in the last four years.

He worked out for the Chiefs and Bears last year after his release, and said there was “moderate” interest in him in free agency. He played eight years in the NFL with the Broncos and Lions, catching 258 passes for 3,207 yards and 22 touchdowns.

It would have been interesting to see if Scheffler had been more interested in continuing if the interest from other teams was more than “moderate.”

But after his career effectively ended when he suffered his last concussion last year, you don’t have to wonder why so many players are willing to conceal their symptoms.