Yesterday, Lane Johnson , one of the best right tackles in the history of the Philadelphia Eagles and arguably in the history of the NFL , retired. Mid-season. Week five. Walked away.
I know the football conversation is about what the Eagles do at right tackle for the next 12 weeks. That's so secondary.
Johnson has been open about his battles with depression and anxiety for years — one of the first NFL players to speak publicly about mental health and take time away from the game because of it. He came back before. This time he's calling it quits. He wants to be with his family. He said so. And he's leaving real money on the table to do it.
Some people are criticizing the timing. I find that baffling. It would have been easy — easy — to gut it out 15 more weeks, collect the check, retire in January on his own terms with another season on his resume. He could have done that. He chose not to.
Today's Daily Dose is about that choice — and why I think it's the right one.
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