Once again Rolando McClain, 24, has decided to walk away from the NFL, but this time for good.
Today, the linebacker was due to report to practice with the Baltimore Ravens for the team’s offseason workout program. However, before doing so McClain sent a text message to ESPN.com saying, “I gotta follow my heart. It ain’t football. If football made me complete I would play. But whenever I think of it my heart pulls me away from whatever reason. …This means I’m done.”
McClain has not played since his 2010-2012 seasons with the Oakland Raiders due to his previous retirement from the NFL in 2013 after the Baltimore Ravens signed him. He mentioned that his reasons for retiring in 2013 were to get his priorities straight. The linebacker has had a string of mishaps/arrests during his first years as a professional football player.
In December 2011, McClain was charged with third-degree assault, menacing, reckless endangerment, and discharging a firearm. He was found guilty on all counts. In January 2012, he was arrested for giving a police officer a false name after being pulled over for window tint violation. In April 2013, he was also arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest. With this strand of ongoing negative activity it would be hard to find a home with any team that would put up with such treacherous behavior.
While attending University of Alabama, McClain was an outstanding athlete, winning the Lambert award; meaning he was the nation’s best linebacker. The Oakland Raiders soon drafted him with the No. 8 overall pick in 2010. In his third season with Oakland he recorded 246 tackles and 6.5 sacks. Not too long after McClain had some issues with the Raiders’ organization and soon disassociated himself with Oakland.
Rolando McClain possesses the means to be one of the greatest linebackers to play the game of football. However, his activity off the field is what plays a huge factor in his career. He was reportedly late for a workout last week which he later disputed. His dispute had no means because his previous workout did not go well, leaving his dispute undisputed. McClain reportedly failed a conditioning test as well, which would have left the Ravens with a decision to keep him or release him.
On a lighter note, now that he has retired for good his plans are to finish his degree and coach football one day.
“Now I know God has something else planned for me and that my life is bigger than football,” he said in a text.
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