The following press release comes from the San Francisco 49ers.
49ers LB Chris Borland to Retire from NFL
The San Francisco 49ers announced on Tuesday that linebacker Chris Borland will retire from the National Football League.
“While unexpected, we certainly respect Chris’ decision,” said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. “From speaking with Chris, it was evident that he had put a great deal of thought into this decision. He was a consummate professional from day one and a very well respected member of our team and community. Chris is a determined young man that overcame long odds in his journey to the NFL and we are confident he will use the same approach to become very successful in his future endeavors. We will always consider him a 49er and wish him all the best.”
Borland (5-11, 248) was the second of the 49ers three, third-round draft picks (77th overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin. In his only season with the 49ers, Borland appeared in 14 games (eight starts) and registered a team-high 128 tackles, two interceptions, one sack and one fumble recovery.
He earned Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors for his Week 10 performance against the New Orleans Saints, as he had 17 tackles and recovered a fumble in overtime that led to a game-winning 35-yard field goal by Phil Dawson. The following week against the New York Giants, Borland again was named Pepsi Rookie of the Week as well as NFC Defensive Player of the Week, registering 13 tackles and the first two interceptions of his career. He became the first 49ers rookie linebacker to register two interceptions in a game. Borland’s play over the month of November earned him NFL Defensive Rookie of the Month honors. He was placed on the Injured Reserve List on December 20 with an ankle injury.
A 24-year-old native of Kettering, Ohio, Borland finished his playing career at Wisconsin ranked 6th all-time in total tackles (420), 4th in tackles for loss (50) and tied for 8th in sacks (17.0). He played in 55 games (48 starts) for the Badgers and also registered 18 passes defensed, 15 forced fumbles, eight fumble recoveries and three interceptions.
