Former Ohio State linebacker cites concussion concerns as he retires from football at 24

Joshua Perry played two seasons in NFL
Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry speaks at a Fiesta Bowl press conference on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski/Staff

Credit: David Jablonski/Staff

Ohio State linebacker Joshua Perry speaks at a Fiesta Bowl press conference on Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, at the Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, Ariz. David Jablonski/Staff

Former Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Joshua Perry retired from football Monday at the age of 24.

In a statement posted to Twitter, Perry wrote, “Football has been one of the biggest blessings in my life, but recent concerns about concussions and the health of my brain have led me to step away from the game. I’ve recently sustained my 6th documented concussion. It wasn’t from a high velocity big impact play. It was a very pedestrian thing, and that was a huge concern to me. The last thing I want to do is put the health of my brain and my future well being in jeopardy over a game and a paycheck.”

» RELATED: Former Michigan linebacker Mike McCray retires

The San Diego Chargers selected Perry in the fourth round of the 2016 draft. He had eight tackles in 15 games as a rookie. In 2017, he appeared in two games for the Indianapolis Colts. He signed with the Seattle Seahawks in June.

In 2014, the season Ohio State won the College Football Playoff, the Olentangy High School graduate Perry led the Buckeyes with 124 tackles. The next season, he ranked second with 105.

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