Rolando McClain reportedly retires at the age of 23

Originally published on SBReport.net on May 15, 2013

Former Raiders middle linebacker Rolando McClain has apparently decided to call it quits from football at the young age of 23, according to BaltimoreRavens.com.

"Rolando let me know that he plans to retire from the NFL,” Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome told BaltimoreRavens.com. “We have placed him on the Reserve/Retired list.”

McClain was released by the Raiders in early April and signed with the Ravens on April 12. Just ten days into his new one-year contract, McClain found him arrested for the third time in his NFL career in his hometown of Decatur, Ala.

The former 2009 Dick Butkus Award winner was drafted by the Raiders 8th overall in 2010 after largely being considered a "can't-miss" prospect but largely didn't live up to the hype during his three years with Oakland.

McClain found himself in the doghouse last season after a reported rift with head coach Dennis Allen at practice. Allen then suspended the linebacker for two games due to "conduct detrimental to the team" and reduced his role in his defense greatly, as he didn't play in the final three games of the season.

It remains to be seen why McClain has decided to hang up the cleats and whether or not he will attempt a comeback at some point.

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