season.ddddddddddddIts been real frustrating. Its been a tough thing t

Free-agent offensive tackle Eugene Monroe announced his retirement from the NFL on Thursday.After 18 years, I am retiring from the game I love, Monroe said in a statement. This was not an easy decision to make, but I know its the right one for me, my health and my family. Thank you to my fans for your continued support, and to my friends and family for always standing by me. Im excited about whats to come.Monroe discussed his decision further in a post on The Players Tribune.The last 18 years have been full of traumatic injuries to both my head and my body, he wrote. Im not complaining, just stating a fact. Has the damage to my brain already been done? Do I have CTE? I hope I dont, but over 90% of the brains of former NFL players that have been examined showed signs of the disease. I am terrified.Thats why one of the first things Im planning to do is to go to the doctor. I need to take stock of my current health, and I dont want to miss a thing. Im going to get brain and body imaging scans, mental health assessments -- anything that might help me get a handle on the state of my body and my mind. My health is critical to the future of my family.Monroe, 29, was released by the Baltimore Ravens in June. An?outspoken supporter of medical marijuana, he told The New York Times after his release that he wondered whether his advocacy contributed to his release.The only active player to publicly support taking marijuana off the NFLs banned substances list, Monroe said in a statement last month that he had no plans to end his campaign.Despite the current uncertainties, one thing is for sure: Whatever happens in terms of my professional football career, I will never stop pushing for the League to accept medical cannabis as a viable option for pain management, he said.The New York Giants reportedly showed interest in Monroe, as did a few other teams, but Monroe said he will now take the same energy he put into his football career and use it in the next phase of his life.The game of football has helped me to know what it takes to set objectives, to know how to work tirelessly to achieve them and to push through any obstacle no matter how insurmountable it may seem, he said. For all my anxiety, Im actually excited for what the future holds because I feel prepared for it.Monroe started only 17 games in two seasons since receiving $17.5 million in guaranteed money as part of the five-year, $37.5 million deal he signed with the Ravens in 2014. He missed time because of four injuries since the start of the 2014 season: knee (four games), ankle (three), concussion (three) and shoulder (two).Wholesake Fake Air Jordan 1 . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Fake Shoes . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. https://www.fakeshoes.net/ . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Fake Shoes For Sale . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. Fake Shoes From China . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta.BOSTON -- Brock Holt is back, batting sixth and playing left field for the Boston Red Sox against the Los Angeles Angels at Fenway Park on Friday. He had been on the disabled list with a concussion since May 20.Despite lingering symptoms, including occasional lightheadedness, Holt felt good enough to return following a rehab assignment with Triple-A Pawtucket. He also said he is taking a migraine medication, likely for the rest of the season.Holt, who worked with Pittsburgh-based concussion specialist Dr. Micky Collins throughout the ordeal, said there is no danger in returning to action while not 100 percent healthy.Thats part of the rehab, playing in games and seeing how certain things affect me, Holt said. I felt pretty good in rehab games. Seeing the ball pretty good, putting together some good at-bats. I felt comfortable enough to make this next step.According to manager John Farrell, Holt will mostly stick to left field but will not play every day. The plan is to start him against right-handers Jhoulys Chacin (Friday) and Matt Shoemaker (Sunday) this weekend.Beyond that, well continue to monitor his availability and check him every day, Farrell said.And so ends, for now, what has been a difficult period for Holt, who has suffered at least two concussions in his career, the other coming toward the end of the 2014 season.ddddddddddddIts been real frustrating. Its been a tough thing to go through because physically I felt great, Holt said. I feel like I couldve played, but just from my neck up, my head, I knew something wasnt right. It was frustrating because I didnt think it would take as long as it took. Some days I would feel pretty good and the next day I wouldnt.Holts presence is a welcomed one for the Red Sox, from the left-handed bat to his defensive versatility to the energy he brings to the bench.One of our more instinctual baserunners. Hes demonstrated it repeatedly, puts up quality at-bats, particularly against right-handed pitching. Plays with high energy, Farrell said. To get a guy back to us that is familiar with our surroundings, had success here, its a positive for us.The Red Sox optioned infielder Mike Miller to Pawtucket to make room for Holt on the 25-man roster. Miller had one at-bat in three games since his call-up this week. ' ' '