Goodbye is the Hardest Word

(Photo from Boston.com)

In a rather stunning development, Patriots linebacker Ted Johnson has just announced his retirement after ten seasons with the New England Patriots.

Patriots.com has the story.

Most notable is the quote from Johnson:

"It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from football. The decision was not an easy one, but life sometimes has a timetable all its own. I can no longer ignore the severe short- and long-term complications of the concussive head injuries I have sustained over the years."

This comes on the heels of Tedy Bruschi's announcement that he'll take at least a year-long hiatus from football.

I think sometimes we forget just how much of themselves these guys leave on the field. Sometimes it isn't just their blood, sweat and tears. Sometimes it's their actual health and well-being. Football is a brutal game. We all know that. No one more so than the players. But it often takes a staple of your team retiring to bring it home.

I'll miss referring to the havoc-wreaking D-line as "Big Willie and the Teds" but I wish Johnson all the best.

And I have a sneaking suspicion that in his era of Belichickian New England Patriots football, those that are part of the championship teams never really go very far away.

Good luck, Ted!