FanPost

Rolando McClain Retires from Football at 23

Rolandomcclainafter_medium
Ro after a 2008 "Petrino" (aka motorcycle accident)

On Wednesday afternoon, Ravens General Manager Ozzie Newsome announced that he had placed linebacker Rolando McClain on the reserve/retired list.

McClain had signed to a one year $700,000 deal with Baltimore on April 12, but was arrested just 10 days later in his hometown of Decatur , Alabama for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

McClain, no stranger to trouble, was also arrested in December 2011 and charged with third-degree assault, among other charges. In January of this year, he was arrested again after an officer pulled him over for a window tint violation and charges of providing false information. The false ID charge was later dropped and he pled guilty to the tinted windows charge

The former Bama star is due in court on July 9 for his most recent charges. After being selected by the Raiders with the 8th overall pick of the 2010 NFL Draft, McClain recorded 246 tackles (173 solo), 6.5 sacks, one interception, one safety, one forced fumble and 20 passes defended in 41 career games with Oakland. In 2012, McClain was kicked out of a practice and later made some regrettable and premature tweets about his departure from the team.

Baltimore found themselves suddenly thin at middle linebacker after losing linebackers Ray Lewis (retirement), and Dannell Ellerbe (free-agent). Additionally, Jameel McClain is still rehabbing a serious spinal cord injury. It may now all be up to their 2013 second round pick from Kansas State, Arthur Brown.

EDITORIAL: I personally do not understand this move in the latest round of bizarre behavior from McClain. What is he going to do? Go back to Decatur and get in more trouble? McClain would’ve undoubtedly seen the field in Baltimore due to the Ravens' lack of depth. At age 23, this seems like a foolish move unless he is seeking some kind of real help. Here is hoping he gets his act together and makes a comeback in 2014 if not sooner.

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