NFL: Titans LB Derrick Morgan Calls It A Career

By at least two benchmarks, linebacker Derrick Morgan, who announced his retirement from   pro football over the weekend, carved out a successful career. First, he spent every day in the NFL with a single team -- the Tennessee Titans. While athletes who never need to call the moving van are more common in this sport than others, owing largely to briefer playing spans, it is a badge of honor to last nine seasons with one franchise.

Second, he built enough confidence to set the stage for more significant accomplishments post-football. Having dabbled in start-up businesses and real estate, Morgan intends to dive head-first into those activities, beginning with a venture in Coatesville, Pa., his hometown.

Between the lines, Morgan, 30, was very good, not great. As the 16th overall draft pick out of Georgia Tech, he amassed 305 tackles along with 44 1/2 sacks. The high-water mark came in 2016 with nine sacks. His career total of quarterback tackles for loss places Morgan sixth in the history of the Titans and the Houston Oilers, Tennessee's predecessor.

His legacy might be framed more by activism. Three years ago, he became one of the first players to lobby the league to research the value of cannabis as a healthier means of pain management and possible treatment of CTE.

At a panel discussion on the eve of the latest NFL draft in Nashville, he expressed a somewhat jaundiced view of the league and the Players Coalition for partnering to dedicate around $90 million for programs that could address social inequities.

While applauding the commitments of funds to worthwhile causes, Morgan said it should not be regarded as "hush money" to keep players from speaking out on injustices.

One lasting impact in the Titans' locker room is introducing, along with his chef wife, a vegan-based diet during training camp last summer.

On Twitter, Morgan notes that he departs the sport on his own terms. That might be partly true, but twilight had set in on his career.

The Titans had not renewed an expired contract that compensated him to the tune of $27 million over the previous four seasons, nor had any other team jumped in. Though he did log a dozen starts a year ago, shoulder and knee injuries robbed him of three games.

After nine surgeries, the clock was ticking more loudly, if not loud enough to drown out the clarion call of a potentially fruitful existence beyond football.

At odds of 100/1, the Titans are currently among the biggest underdogs on the board to win the Super Bowl.