National Football League

Tony Scheffler: Concussions force retirement from NFL

Published Jun. 11, 2014 2:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Former Detroit Lions tight end Tony Scheffler is retiring from the NFL.

Scheffler told The Associated Press on Wednesday he made the choice because he had three concussions over the past four years.

He had 258 receptions for 3,207 yards and 22 touchdowns in his eight-year career. The Lions released Scheffler in October. He later had workouts with Chicago and Kansas City and says there was "moderate" interest in him as a free agent this offseason.

Denver drafted him in the second round in 2006 out of Western Michigan and traded him four years later to Detroit.

Scheffler says his plans include becoming a real estate agent and assistant football coach at the high school in his hometown of Chelsea, Michigan.