A Look At Jason Worilds

As news came out of Steeler headquarters over the last week that Brett Keisel was released, Ben Roethlisberger was re signed to a long term deal and Arthur Moats was brought back, no news was more shocking than that of the decision by Jason Worilds to call it a career at the age of 27.

Worilds, who made nearly 10 million dollars in 2014 was set to be an unrestricted free agent and likely to land a long term deal worth upwards of 40 million dollars or more.  He was a guy who was drafted in the second round of the 2010 draft out of Virginia Tech and became a full time starter in 2013. His career featured 204 tackles (122 of those over the last two seasons) 25.5 sacks (20.5 of those the last 3 seasons) and four forced fumbles. He was a great outside pass rusher who’s best days on the field were still in front of him. The Steelers had made it known they would like to have retained him for the long term, many speculated that wouldn’t be possible, Worilds had suitors in Tennessee, Washington and other cities as well. Many felt the money would take Worilds other places.

It turns out, Worilds is leaving the Steelers but not for the money, nor to play football for another team but to chase other opportunities. His decision is reportedly faith based and one that needs to be respected. In a world where so many of us have litigious qualities and would sell our soul for a 40 million dollar contract, Worilds said, no, money isn’t everything, football isn’t everything, following your heart is.

It may be hard for people to understand but they don’t have to, they have to just accept. Accept Worilds for the guy he truly is, a guy of intelligence, a guy of thought, a guy of faith. Worilds doesn’t need to explain his decision to any of us, and sure that leads to people judging it. But ask yourself, do you respect it?  If you don’t, ask yourself this, are you as good of a human being as Jason Worilds? Clearly, if you were in the public eye and made the same decision he just did, he’d respect you.

Good luck to Jason in all his endeavors, it takes a true selfless act to make the decision he did and he deserves all the best that life brings him as he moves into life after football.