Source: cnn.com | Repost Duerson Fund 11/7/2022 –
Former Green Bay Packers cornerback Sam Shields has said he regrets playing in the NFL, pointing to the effects concussions and head injuries had on his career and his later life.
Having played seven seasons with the Packers, Shields missed almost 14 months with concussions between 2016 and 2017, returning to the field for one final season in 2018 with the Los Angeles Rams before retiring.
But, in a frank interview with Dan Le Batard in the ‘South Beach Sessions’ podcast, the 34-year-old Shields described his head being “all mushed together with the concussions.”
He added that he still suffers with headaches, a lack of appetite and sleep issues as a result of the concussions – and the cutthroat nature of the NFL.
“Once you’re in that NFL, 100% of the responsibility’s on you. So you got to take risks because you got to take care of your family,” said Shields.
“When you’re done with football, everybody forgets about you. Family, friends. I have one friend. In football, I had 10.