Andrew Sweat Turns Down Browns, NFL Career For Law School Over Concussion Concerns

Michigan State's Le'Veon Bell runs around the end as Ohio State's Andrew Sweat, top right, and Christian Bryant make a tackle during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Shortly after the 2012 NFL Draft concluded, Andrew Sweat tweeted that he had signed a free-agent deal with the Cleveland Browns. The linebacker out of Ohio State would be trading Columbus for Cleveland. Later tweeting out a link to the Browns' roster with his name included, Sweat seemed to be excited about entering the NFL.

However, Sweat has changed his mind, tweeting that he will not to purse a career in the NFL, citing health concerns.

@asweat42
Andrew Sweat

Concussion symptoms didn't want to risk it.. Thanks to the browns for the opportunity. Health trumps football any day

May 14, 2012 4:20 am via Twitter for iPhone Reply Retweet Favorite

The impact of head injuries on the lives of NFL players is once again a central talking point among athletes, sports media and fans in the aftermath of the suicide of former NFL star Junior Seau. Veteran guard Jacob Bell announced his early retirement shortly after Seau's death, citing his concerns over head trauma.

Sweat's senior season at Ohio State was marred by injuries, including a concussion suffered against Purdue.

Before tweeting his decision, Sweat had reportedly informed The Columbus Dispatch via text message. The Dispatch also reported that Sweat indicated he had been accepted to five law schools.

Writing for AboveTheLaw.com, Elie Mystal describes Sweat's decision to eschew the NFL for the law school as something that "could be the biggest mistake of his life."

The reactions on Twitter were more supportive than Mystal's post.

@ctowndawgpound1
I'm an Ohio boy!

@asweat42 The problem most players face they don't have the backup plan like you do.Good luck in whatever you do #gobrowns#gobucks

May 14, 2012 4:32 am via Twitter for Android Reply Retweet Favorite

@mikeranc
Mike Ranc

@asweat42 as a buckeye fan and a browns fan, was looking forward to seeing you in orange. Completely understand your choice. Good luck 42!

May 14, 2012 4:24 am via Twitter for iPad Reply Retweet Favorite

According to SB Nation's Ohio State football blog, Land-Grant Holyland, Sweat's best chance of sticking with the Browns was by making an impact on special teams.

Is AboveTheLaw right about Sweat's decision or does the NFL pose health risks to players that could outweigh the potential financial gain?

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Comments

[Pod-gers]

09:53 AM on 05/22/2012

Not the first to escew the NFL, Fred Lynn chose baseball over football.

[Samiiam]

07:56 PM on 05/19/2012

I took a helmet to my right hip in the sixties playing freshman ball on a kickoff that has bothered me for the past half century. It was also my last tackle game. I can only imagine what a professional football player has gone through in their careers and the way they feel when they wake up in the morning.

[jubo]

07:21 PM on 05/17/2012

Perhaps the NFLPA will hire him?

[DismayedRepub]

06:09 PM on 05/16/2012

My nephew turned down an invite to try-out with a NFL team for the very same reason. It’s not an easy decision to make.

[American Subversive]

06:06 PM on 05/16/2012

I'm not buying it. He just didn't want to play for the Browns (and I'm a fan!).

[dimag56in41]

09:36 PM on 05/15/2012

He'd have been cut. Browns have a BUNCH of his kind after their top 24.

Besides, not everyone places a loaded gun to his chest and cries CONCUSSION....CONCUSSION.

I am NOT saying these ex studleys didn't have issues...and it IS something that needs addressed ASAP, ....but sometimes.....sonetimes, it can be those issues along with GEEZ.....FOOTBALL IS OVER....NOW WHAT?

Next up are the catchers. Those foul tips off masks are WORSE than a helmet hit.

[TMarie44]

08:08 PM on 05/15/2012

Good for him

[Ed Forney]

07:16 PM on 05/15/2012

Not to worry. He'll make plenty of money as an attorney.

[Olympian2012]

10:42 PM on 05/15/2012

True.

[cookerman45]

05:18 PM on 05/15/2012

GO BLUE!

[Chris Charboneau]

04:46 PM on 05/15/2012

Im sorry and you are whom???

[Tom uws]

03:27 PM on 05/15/2012

He saw the writing on the wall. As a free agent, he would have been lucky to make the team at all. Even guys who are drafted are not guaranteed to make the team. He knew he had to pursue other career options. And the country definitely needs more lawyers... ;-)

[hrc04]

03:03 PM on 05/15/2012

Don't you have to be brain damaged already to go to Ohio State?

Go Blue.

[Christine Chew]

05:14 PM on 05/15/2012

Sorry no, everyone knows that Ann Arbor is a w h o r e.

Go Bucks

[cookerman45]

05:19 PM on 05/15/2012

JUST LIKE YER MOMMa......GO BLUE!

[cookerman45]

05:21 PM on 05/15/2012

Yep.

[william01609]

02:58 PM on 05/15/2012

All he had to do was not show up at camp he was undrafted and no one would have missed him?.........if he had other opportunities why didnt he just quietly take one....all he really wanted was his 15 seconds of fame.............nothing more

[Spank05]

01:59 PM on 05/15/2012

I wasn't aware an undrafted free agent could "turn down" the NFL, kind of seems like the opposite happened.

[justappraisals]

02:55 PM on 05/15/2012

You do not have to play even if you are drafted, you can say, na, that's not a good deal for me. Elway was drafted first of first round by the Colts, he said I think I will play baseball. So they traded him to Denver. Then he signed a contract and He played football. So if you do not get drafted or are not even in the draft you can still get picked up to play, if offered. As long as it is in the 53 man roster and does not exceed the cap. Also keep in mind each team has another team in reserve called a practice squad. They use these guy's as tackle dummies at low wages. Sometimes a player will be moved up from the practice squad, much like AAA baseball.

[2tellthetruuth]

12:30 PM on 05/15/2012

Good for him the game sucks....