Why did Gross retire?

[AceBoogie]

Has anybody sat and thought why a starting LT fresh off of a 12-4 season and a Pro Bowl would call it quits. After going 12-4 and making the playoffs for the first time in years, you would think he would want to make another run at it. He didn't suffer any newsworthy injuries and was still playing at a high level.

Do you think he knows something we aren't seeing?

[jarhead]

yep

[SgtJoo]

Yeah.

 

It's called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy

 

[Guest Dark Knight]

He is 33-years old, has a wife and two young children, and made more money than he'll ever need.

Football is a dangerous sport and he was able to walk away under his own terms fully healthy. He played 11 seasons, played in a Super Bowl, and left the team 12-4 and in the hands of a young superstar QB.

Believe it or not, he has a life away from football and doesn't exist purely for your amusement and entertainment.

The better question is why the hell would he have bothered coming back for another year.

[KissMyConverse]

I've seen people suggest a conspiracy theory around this topic ever since the Steve Smith thing blew up last week. Our fan base is crazy. 

[d-dave]

Space Aliens told him it was time.  The mother ship was coming!

 

Or it could be that his body told him enough was enough.  It happens.  He decided to get out before he permanently disabled himself.  He made a ton of cash (over his career), was a FA, didn't feel like haggling over another 1 year contract, has a young family, a great opportunity to become a sports media guy in his spare time....

 

To me, why jeopardize it so a few guys on a message board cheer him on?  Heck no!  I don't blame him one bit!  Go out with your health!  And go out with great memories.  Would have been nice to go back to the big game, but he's had a great career.

[AceBoogie]

I've seen people suggest a conspiracy theory around this topic ever since the Steve Smith thing blew up last week. Our fan base is crazy.

No conspiracy, but you play to win a Super Bowl if you think you have a shot at it why not come back?

[AceBoogie]

Space Aliens told him it was time. The mother ship was coming!

Or it could be that his body told him enough was enough. It happens. He decided to get out before he permanently disabled himself. He made a ton of cash (over his career), was a FA, didn't feel like haggling over another 1 year contract, has a young family, a great opportunity to become a sports media guy in his spare time....

To me, why jeopardize it so a few guys on a message board cheer him on? Heck no! I don't blame him one bit! Go out with your health! And go out with great memories. Would have been nice to go back to the big game, but he's had a great career.

But if you think you're team has a shot of winning something you've played your entire career for you don't walk away from that.

I'm not thinking about the fans, fug the fans. I'm saying if I'm Jordan Gross starting LT on the panthers and still playing at a high level why would I walk away? Especially after getting back in the playoffs.

[KSpan]

No conspiracy, but you play to win a Super Bowl if you think you have a shot at it why not come back?

Every player wants to win on some level, but to say winning a Super Bowl is the only motivation (or at least the #1 motivation) of every single NFL player is very narrow-minded.

[AceBoogie]

Every player wants to win on some level, but to say winning a Super Bowl is the only motivation (or at least the #1 motivation) of every single NFL player is very narrow-minded.

There's the Super Bowl, Money, and love for the game.

If you're an NFL player and winning a Super Bowl isn't in your career goals then you're probably just playing for the money.

Gross to me was a guy who loved the game and playing with his teammates. I don't think he walks away under different circumstances.

[RoaringRiot]

There's the Super Bowl, Money, and love for the game.

If you're an NFL player and winning a Super Bowl isn't in your career goals then you're probably just playing for the money.

Gross to me was a guy who loved the game and playing with his teammates. I don't think he walks away under different circumstances.

 

 

What happens if the Panthers win the Division next year, make it to the NFC Championship game and lose on a last second FG?  Does Gross then have to come back for another run at the Super Bowl since we got even closer in '14?  

 

He knew it was his time.  If he's at peace with it then we should be too.  

[KissMyConverse]

No conspiracy, but you play to win a Super Bowl if you think you have a shot at it why not come back?

In Gorss' case he is an O-lineman. So he has to carry a ton of weight to do his job. In the long run this is unhealthy. Look at O-linemen while they're playing then look at them a year after they hang it up.

He had a pretty healthy career and has made a good life for himself. Like he said he feels he is leaving the Panthers in a good place.

Can you really fault someone for wanting to spend time with their family and enjoy the life they carved out? I know if I could reitre in my mid 30's I'd take that all day everyday.

[csx]

He said himself that he decided last off season that this would be his last. What else do you need to hear?

[Proudiddy]