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Rolando McClain was expected to attend the first day of the Phase One offseason program that begins today.
Instead, he has retired from the game of football for the second time. According to a report from ESPN, McClain has decided to hang the cleats up once again, stating that every time he feels ready to give it another go, something pulls him in the other direction.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Filed to <a href="http://t.co/Gy6Qtw9cbB">http://t.co/Gy6Qtw9cbB</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/RMcClain205">@RMcClain205</a> is walking away from football, this time for good. "I'm done," he told me in a text.</p>— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethWickersham/statuses/458281066777042944">April 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>. <a href="https://twitter.com/RMcClain205">@RMcClain205</a> texted me: "If football made me complete I would play.But whenever I think of it my heart pulls me away from whatever reason"</p>— Seth Wickersham (@SethWickersham) <a href="https://twitter.com/SethWickersham/statuses/458281890618019840">April 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson reported the same, stating McClain was definitely done.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A source close to the situation confirmed what Rolando McClain told ESPN, that this is a firm decision by the former Alabama All-American</p>— Aaron Wilson (@RavensInsider) <a href="https://twitter.com/RavensInsider/statuses/458287731429638144">April 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Given reports of a poor workout last week, it would have been an extremely uphill battle for McClain to make Baltimore's roster. It's probably best for both parties for McClain to finish his degree and pursue another career. If his heart is no longer in it, he won't be able to compete at the highest level needed in the NFL. He can continue focusing on bettering his own self while being a father to his kids.
McClain spent the past year working on personal issues after being arrested three times in two years.
Now it's on to the next phase in his life, a message he offered to his twitter followers on Monday after his retirement was reported.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Hopefully I see most of y'all on the other side one day. Until then...</p>— Rolando McClain (@RMcClain205) <a href="https://twitter.com/RMcClain205/statuses/458288749458489345">April 21, 2014</a></blockquote>
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