I have to agree with Bomber. I played DIII football = Non-Scholarship. I blew out my knee my Soph year and tried to come back my Senior year. Made it all the way through 2-a-days before the knee went out again. I remember sitting on the side of the field sobbing, realizing that I was never going to be able to play again.
I realize the difference is that (besides he is going to be in the HOF - and I'm can only get in w/ a ticket) I couldn't play anmore, he chose to leave the game. However, the end result is still the same. The realization hit that we were leaving a game we loved to play.