Baltimore Ravens

Eugene Monroe shares chilling medical concerns in his retirement announcement

Published Jul. 21, 2016 9:21 a.m. ET

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Former Baltimore Ravens left tackle Eugene Monroe announce his retirement Thursday morning on The Players' Tribune.

He wrote: "Today, I am making my exit from the game of football. I'm leaving the sport I love -- the sport that has consumed my existence for the last 18 years -- to start a new life. I'm nervous, but I feel like I'm ready for whatever comes next. I have three beautiful children and an amazing wife, and they will be with me as I take these next steps."

Monroe mentioned the "never-ending cycle: injury, shake it off, 'recover,' repeat" as a factor in his decision. And he cited concerns about head trauma in this chilling passage:

Monroe, 29, had season-ending shoulder surgery in December and was released by the Ravens in June.

Following his release from the Ravens, Monroe speculated that his advocacy for medical marijuana factored into the organization's decision to part ways with him. He has campaigned for medical marijuana to be taken off the NFL's banned substances list and be cleared as an alternative to medication for pain management.

Monroe was the eighth overall pick in 2009 by the Jacksonville Jaguars, for whom he started until he was traded to the Ravens in October 2013.

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