San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday, telling the team that he is unable to come back from a devastating knee injury suffered two years ago.
Marcus Lattimore retires from the NFL
Lattimore has decided to retire from the NFL, unable to come back from a devastating knee injury suffered nearly two years ago while in college.
Lattimore tore a ligament in his left knee as a sophomore at South Carolina in 2011, and then suffered a horrible injury in his opposite knee one year later that included a dislocation and significant damage to multiple ligaments. That injury effective ended his career with the Gamecocks, as Lattimore declared for the NFL Draft at the end of the season and was taken in the fourth round by the 49ers.
He spent the entire 2013 season on the non-football injury list and started this season on that list as well, having never suited up in a game for the 49ers. He did return to the practice field last week with the hope that he could play later this season, but had recurring issues with his surgically repaired knee during practices and felt that it was time to move on to a new chapter in his life after football.
Call for change
He explained his decision to retire in a statement released Wednesday:
“After prayer and careful consideration, I have decided it’s time to end my professional football career. I have given my heart and soul to the game that I love, and it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life and help others. I have given every ounce of my energy toward making a full recovery from my knee injury, and I have made a lot of progress. Unfortunately, getting my knee fully back to the level the NFL demands has proven to be insurmountable.”
Lattimore went on to thank the 49ers’ organization for all of their support and care during the rehab process:
“I am grateful for the entire 49ers organization. Their decision to draft me was the realization of a lifelong dream to be an NFL player, and I cannot thank them enough for believing in me and for doing everything in their power to assist in my recovery. I will always be a 49er!”
According to his statement, Lattimore plans to return to the University of South Carolina to complete his degree and will continue to work with his foundation, the Marcus Lattimore Foundation / DREAMS, which supports youth sports programs in the state of South Carolina.
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