Jason Worilds retiring

According to his agent, Jason Bernstein, linebacker Jason Worilds has elected to hang up his cleats and retire from the NFL.

“I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days,” Worilds said in a statement released by his agent. “With that being said, after much thought & consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests. I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2015/03/11/free-agent-linebacker-jason-worilds-to-retire-per-agent/

Wow, didn't see that coming.  Wonder if he chatted with Patrick Willis or Jake Locker in the last couple of days.  Are these examples of isolated incidences or is a new trend starting to form?

http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/12459034/linebacker-jason-worilds-retire-free-agent-status

Yeah, I'm shocked by this move. He's a guy you would think would be hitting his prime over the next few years. Definitely leaving plenty of money on the table.

He had the talent and opportunity to be the next great Steelers linebacker, but some things just aren't meant to be. I wish him success and happiness in his future endeavors.

I was never big on him but I'm glad he's going out on his terms.

Quote :

Worilds makes 'faith-based' decision to move on from football

By Mark Kaboly

Jason Worilds had a calling, and it had nothing to do with football or a lucrative long-term contract that was within his grasp.

It had everything to do with his faith.

Worilds, the Steelers' second-round pick in 2010 out of Virginia Tech and one of the most sought-after players on the free-agent market, gave up football to pursue interests related to his religion of Jehovah's Witnesses, industry sources confirmed to Trib Total Media.

Worilds informed the Steelers on Tuesday of his decision and then announced his intentions of walking away from the game via a series of Twitter messages by his agent Jason Bernstein early Wednesday morning and then later by Worilds.

“He is stepping away because he wanted to pursue other interests,” one source close to Worilds said. “The decision was faith-based as he wanted to pursue interests related to that. He still likes the game of football and certainly had lucrative options on the table but felt his time was best spent on those other interests.”

The true scope of Worilds' decision might never been known.

Worilds told Trib Total Media on Wednesday, “I don't know when I'll speak on it or if I will.”

Read more: http://triblive.com/sports/steelers/7948706-74/worilds-steelers-million#ixzz3UBT0s5Ca
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There are worse things to leave football over. However, I would think he has the rest of his life to pursue those activities. Not like he will be an old man after a football career.

kirklandrules wrote:

There are worse things to leave football over. However, I would think he has the rest of his life to pursue those activities. Not like he will be an old man after a football career.

Obviously, I have no clue ... but on hindsight, perhaps his lackluster play for much of last season was because his heart wasn't in it. It's hard to do something, and do it well, when your heart isn't in it. If he has been smart with his money, he's already made enough to live comfortably. So now it's about finding happiness. I respect him for walking away rather than taking someone's money and half-assing it. It's impossible to know someone's true motivations, so I trust he made the best decision for himself and wish him well.

Maybe he wants to do mission work which could be taxing on the body?

Wait, my sources say that he likes this really nice church in Arizona. Invited Roethlisberger to a service.

SteelersYak wrote:

Wait, my sources say that he likes this really nice church in Arizona. Invited Roethlisberger to a service.

I read he wants to be a Jehovas Witness. -Thats not a joke BTW.

I can respect his decision.

He wants to do missionary type work for the JW's (from what I've read). I have to admire someone that is willing to walk away from big money to follow his heart and principles.

Well he played long enough to make a killing.

Doesn't he realize that all 144,000 Jehovah's Witnesses have already been ressurected and that his pursuit for their ideal heaven is a fruitless aspiration? Oh well, the same may have been said for his long-term career here in Pittsburgh.