49ers RB Lattimore retires from football
Santa Clara, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – San Francisco 49ers running back Marcus Lattimore says he is retiring from football without ever playing a down in the NFL because of the same knee injury that cut short his college career two years ago.
Lattimore, 23, was drafted in the fourth round by the 49ers last year despite a gruesome injury to his right knee in October 2012, when the University of South Carolina star tore multiple ligaments and suffered a dislocated knee cap against Tennessee.
His sophomore season was also cut short in 2011 over a torn ligament in his left knee.
Lattimore said in a statement Wednesday that he’s “given my heart and soul to the game that I love, and it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter of my life and help others” though his foundation, which benefits youth sports programs in South Carolina.
“I have given every ounce of my energy toward making a full recovery from my knee injury, and I have made a lot of progress,” Lattimore said. “Unfortunately, getting my knee fully back to the level the NFL demands has proven insurmountable.
“I am grateful for the entire 49ers organization. Their decision to draft me was the realization of a lifelong dream to be an NFL player, and I cannot thank them enough for believing in me and for doing everything in their power to assist my recovery.”
San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke said it was clear Lattimore had put a lot of thought into his decision.
“He is a high-character young man who has done everything asked of him and more during his time with us and we have a great deal of respect for the strength and commitment he showed throughout the rehab process,” Baalke said in a statement.
“It has been a pleasure to have Marcus as a member of our team and our community and we are confident that he will be very successful in whichever path he chooses to take in life. We look forward to supporting Marcus and wish him nothing but the best.”
Lattimore holds South Carolina records for rushing touchdowns (38) and total touchdowns (41). He rushed for 2,677 yards in 29 appearances for the Gamecocks and entered the NFL Draft as a junior. He says he will return to South Carolina to finish his degree.
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier credited Lattimore with spurring much of the program’s success since the running back’s first season in 2010 and said he can help the team, possibly as a graduate assistant.
“He leads by example,” Spurrier said. “He does all the coaches ask and then a little bit more. He’d be out here before practice getting the running backs going through drills on their own. He’d just say, ‘Follow me, let’s go get better today.’ That’s the kind of young man he is.
“He’s a tremendous team player; a team player all the way. We look forward to him getting back here in Columbia. We’re all disappointed that (the) pro thing didn’t work out. But there are other things in life besides playing pro football. He’ll be successful in whatever he does.”
Categorized in: NFL
Tags: 49ers, San Francisco, San Francisco 49ers