SAN DIEGO (AP) — San Diego Chargers guard Kris Dielman will announce his retirement Thursday because of a series of concussions.
A nine-year NFL veteran, Dielman suffered a concussion in a loss to the New York Jets, returned to the game, then had a seizure on the flight back to San Diego. He didn’t play again in 2011.
A four-time Pro Bowl player, Dielman spent his entire career with San Diego.
The father of two young boys indicated at the end of the season he would consider continuing playing, but changed his mind.
Ten days after Dielman was hurt, the league’s injury and safety panel told game officials to watch closely for concussion symptoms in players. Officials were told that if they believed a player had sustained a concussion, they were to take appropriate steps to alert the team and get medical attention for the player.
