http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/07/28/bc.fbn.patrio
ts.johnson.ap/index.html

Patriots LB Johnson to retire
Ten-year vet has health concerns after concussions

FOXBORO, Mass. (AP) -- New England linebacker Ted Johnson announced
his retirement Thursday after a 10-year NFL career, saying he decided
to retire rather than risk further injury following a series of
concussions.

A member of three Super Bowl champion teams in New England, Johnson
notified the team of his decision a day before veterans were
scheduled to begin training camp.

His retirement further weakens the inside linebacker position. Tedy
Bruschi, the other starter there, has said he will sit out this
season after suffering a minor stroke last winter.

Johnson, 32, was drafted by the Patriots in the second round of the
1995 NFL Draft out of Colorado, the 57th overall player selected. The
6-foot-4, 253-pound linebacker started 106 of 125 regular season
games from 1995 through 2004 and was credited with 865 career tackles
and 11 { sacks.

In addition to playing on all three Super Bowl winners, he also
played on the 1996 team that lost to Green Bay in the title game. He
started 15 of the team's 16 games last season after starting only two
and playing in only eight in 2003 because of concussions.

"It is with deep regret that I have decided to retire from football,"
Johnson said in a statement issued by the team. "The decision was not
an easy one, but life sometimes has a timetable all its own. I can no
longer ignore the severe short- and long-term complications of the
concussive head injuries I have sustained over the years."

"I am proud of all that Ted Johnson has done for the Patriots, both
on the field and in the community," Patriots owner Robert Kraft
said. "I know that he positively impacted the lives of thousands of
Patriots fans and I fully expect that he will continue to be a
positive role model in our community."

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