Bills’ A.J. Tarpley retires after one NFL season, citing concussions

Add another name to the growing list of players choosing to retire early rather than put their long-term health in jeopardy.

Buffalo Bills linebacker A.J. Tarpley announced on Instagram that he’s decided to end his NFL career after just one season.

Alongside a picture of himself holding up the game-sealing interception from the Bills’ regular-season finale against the New York Jets a loss that kept the Jets out of the playoffs, Tarpley posted this message:

“The only thing comforting about not knowing this play would be the last of my career, is knowing that I never took a second for granted. After months of introspection, I am retiring from football. I suffered the 3rd and 4th concussions of my career this past season and I am walking away from the game I love to preserve my future health.

“This decision is the hardest I’ve made yet but after much research and contemplation I believe it’s what is best for me going forward.

“I’d like to extend my gratitude to everyone that helped me along the way. Thank you to my coaches at Wayzata and Stanford, and to lifelong friends that I was blessed to call teammates. You all molded me into the man I am today. To my family, I’ll never be able to repay your unwavering support and love, I just hope that I can continue to show how gracious I am and make you proud.

“I also want to thank the Buffalo Bills orgaization, coaches, and teammates for helping me fulfill my lifelong dream in the NFL. Last but not least, I’m proud to be a part of #BillsMafia and playing in front of the best fans in the league is something I won’t forget. Thank you God for all that you have blessed me. I’m excited for my future.”

A native of Plymouth, Minn., Tarpley entered the league last year as an undrafted rookie out of Stanford, where he was a second-team All-Pac-12 performer as a senior. He played in 15 games with Buffalo, with two starts.