Crusader

Ryan Swope fell to the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft because of concerns about his concussion history at Texas A&M. Those concussions sadly ended Swope's NFL career before it started.

The Arizona Cardinals announced Thursday that Swope was placed on the reserve/retired list. Coach Bruce Arians admitted in June that the team didn't expect the wide receiver's concussion issues to linger into the offseason. NFL Network's Mike Mayock said during the draft that Swope suffered four concussions in college, and he suffered a setback after joining the Cardinals.


"We knew Ryan has a concussion history in college and understood that it could possibly be an issue," said Cardinals general manager Steve Keim in a statement released by the team. "But weighing all the elements -- the medical information available, the particular position in the draft -- it was a decision we were comfortable making. As it turned out, he had a setback after he got here. Over the course of the subsequent evaluations, we all decided that Ryan's long-term well-being was the No. 1 priority and this was the best course to take."

As we learned when Jahvid Best recently retired, it's a new era in the NFL. Teams and doctors are being more cautious than ever with concussions, and that is a great thing. Even if it's a devastating development for Swope.

It was a busy day for the Cardinals, who signed offensive tackle Eric Winston and defensive end John Abraham. They also announced the surprising release of O'Brien Schofield, a starter at outside linebacker last season.

UPDATE: Swope released a statement Thursday night through his representation, Rep1 Sports:

"As a result of a concussion I suffered during OTAs, I was advised by doctors that there were serious risks in returning to play football at this point. It has been a lifelong dream to play in the NFL but my long-term health interests outweigh my current goals for football. Because of that, I am electing to retire from the game for now and then reassess my future after this season. In the meantime, I plan to return to Texas A&M to pursue my degree."


Ryan Swope, Cards rookie, retires due to concussions - NFL.com

I feel bad for the young guy. Being that close to your dream and not being able to reach it. Smart move on his part thou, he don't wanna be a vegetable at 45 years old.

W.T. Sherman is my favorite General. After all he did order Atlanta to be burned to the ground.

QBREES9

Dam that sad.

Icomeinpeace

Good for him..it is tough to have a passion for something the way anyone who could make an NFL roster does and walk away...he is a young man and has a lifetime of opportunity ahead of him it is wise on his part to not risk his long term health for short term glory.

dizzle88

Tough choice he has had to make but its the right one, the NFL shouldn't be your priority if its going to mean problems for you physically and mentally in years to come and also could mean the family would lose a loved one because of it

atltillidie

It's sad, but that was a good choice. Playing in the NFL isn't worth the price he would have to pay after his career in his case.

QBREES9

concussions, suc

SloMotion

It certainly is, they certainly are and for once, I agree with the NFL for erring on the side of caution. It was agonizing to watch the Jhavid Best story unfold.

QBREES9

Jhavid Best, Thats a sad story. He was going to be great. Concussion are no joke.

SloMotion

Yeah, there were definitely some highlights on the field when he was healthy. In his second to last NFL game, he cut back and broke this one ... I thought he was finally out of the woods and put the whole concussion issue behind him, only to have him out for good the following week vs SFran, .

dizzle88

It seems alot of concussions happen courtesy of the 49ers and nothing ever gets done about it.

I remember watching that game on MNF seeing best rip that run.

He would have been a very good RB, but at the end of the day he has to make the right decision for him and whilst its a tough one it was the correct one.

How is Mikel Leshoure doing for you guys Slo? I watched him in college and wanted us to pick him up a few years back