Chris Borland doesn’t want anything he hasn’t earned.
The 24-year-old made a shocking decision last week when he opted to walk away from professional football, retiring after only one season with the San Francisco 49ers. The linebacker told CBS News on Sunday, however, he’ll be giving back part of his signing bonus.
“To play one year, it’s not a cash grab as I’ve been accused of,” Borland said, per ESPN.com. “I’m paying back three-fourths of my signing bonus. I’m only taking the money I earned.”
Borland was given a signing bonus worth more than $600,000 after being selected in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. If he does give back three-quarters of that bonus, he’d be returning more than $460,000.
Borland obviously stood to earn much more money over the course of his career. He had a promising first season, appearing in 14 games and totaling 108 tackles, one sack and two interceptions for the 49ers.
Thumbnail photo via Chris Humphreys/USA TODAY Sports Images
