For about half a season in 2004, Dan Morgan was one of the top-five linebackers alive. He was finally living up to all the insane potential he had in his curiously fragile frame. Then, as always, his problems with concussions erupted.

He wound up missing a month, then returning for Carolina's playoff run. His 25-tackle performance in the Super Bowl was one of the all-time "Was that a misprint?" box score lines.

As Pat Yasinskas wrote as ESPN, this retirement was for the best. No one wanted to see Morgan's life changed forever after another blow to the head. Morgan's career didn't pan out as hoped, but it provided some brilliant moments. Good luck and health to Morgan moving forward.