Retiring San Francisco 49ers linebacker Chris Borland will give back most of his signing bonus to the club that drafted him. Borland broke the news during an appearance on CBS' Face the Nation.
"I'm paying back three-fourth of my signing bonus. I'm only taking the money I've earned," Borland said on the show. "To me it's just about health and nothing else. I never played the game for money or attention. I love football. I've had a blast. I don't regret the last 10 years of my life at all. I'd do it over the exact same way."
Borland announced his retirement from the NFL on Monday because of concerns about the long-term health effects of head trauma. 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said they respected Borland's decision, even if it was unexpected.
It is unclear whether the 49ers would have sought to recover Borland's signing bonus, which they had a right to do under the collective bargaining agreement. Borland's decision to pay the money back prevents any back-and-forth on the topic. Borland would have to pay back three-fourths of is signing bonus of $617,436, meaning he'd pay back the 49ers over $450,000.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast makes some bold free agency predictions and discusses Adrian Peterson's future. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.
