Jason Worilds gave up playing football for millions of dollars to follow his faith. Wednesday Worilds announced he was leaving the Pitsburg Stealers NFL team to further his work as a witness of Jehovah.
He informed the Steelers of his retirement in a phone call Tuesday, the day he became an unrestricted free agent and one of the top linebackers available for any team to sign. The Steelers were hoping to lure him back with a multiyear contract after they paid him nearly $10 million in 2014. His 7½ sacks tied for the team lead in 2014 from his outside linebacker position.
Why is Worilds walking away from the game? According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Worilds is doing so to work for his religion, Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Steelers released a statement on the matter Tuesday:
"We respect his decision to retire and thank him for his five years in Pittsburgh. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."
After racking up 15.5 sacks with consistent quarterback pressure over the past two seasons, Worilds entered the new league year No. 10 on Around The NFL's list of the Top 101 free agents.
If this is the end, Worilds will finish his five-year career with 204 tackles with 25.5 sacks.
Worilds - “I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days,’’ Worilds wrote on Twitter early Wednesday morning. “With that being said, after much thought & consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests.
“I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”
He informed the Steelers of his retirement in a phone call Tuesday, the day he became an unrestricted free agent and one of the top linebackers available for any team to sign. The Steelers were hoping to lure him back with a multiyear contract after they paid him nearly $10 million in 2014. His 7½ sacks tied for the team lead in 2014 from his outside linebacker position.
Why is Worilds walking away from the game? According to Ed Bouchette of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Worilds is doing so to work for his religion, Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Steelers released a statement on the matter Tuesday:
"We respect his decision to retire and thank him for his five years in Pittsburgh. We wish him the best in his future endeavors."
After racking up 15.5 sacks with consistent quarterback pressure over the past two seasons, Worilds entered the new league year No. 10 on Around The NFL's list of the Top 101 free agents.
If this is the end, Worilds will finish his five-year career with 204 tackles with 25.5 sacks.
Worilds - “I appreciate all of the interest from the organizations that have reached out to us the past few days,’’ Worilds wrote on Twitter early Wednesday morning. “With that being said, after much thought & consideration I have chosen to step away from football as I have opted to pursue other interests.
“I am especially grateful of the opportunity to play before some of the greatest fans in football today. Despite any concern and speculation that may ensue, I appreciate those that are respectful of my decision.”
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