Max Unger shocked fans and observers around the NFL when he suddenly hung up his cleats and announced his retirement.
Unger explained in a press conference with local media that he’d made his plans known to New Orleans well ahead of free agency, because he wanted to make sure the Saints went into the signing period knowing they’d be without him.
The retirement became official on March 16th. On Monday, he revealed exactly why he decided to end his career.
“At the end of the day, I guess I’m retiring because I didn’t think I could make it through another season,” Unger said Monday (March 18) on a teleconference.
Unger is just 32-years-old and he stated he’s been dealing with lower-body ailments that have been detrimental to his performance.
When a doctor recommended he go through surgery, he just couldn’t find it in himself to spend the offseason recovering and missing valuable practice time.
“To do that going into year 11, I didn’t think was going to work out well,” he said.
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Unger retires as the center who started the most games (61) with Drew Brees.
“That was obviously a hard call,” Unger said of the phone call when he informed Brees of his decision.
Ultimately, the loss to the Los Angeles rams in the NFC Title game had him contemplating retirement almost immediately.
“Obviously that’s not the way you want to go out,” Unger said of the heartbreaking loss, “but at the end of the day, your health is a priority.”
(Nola.com)
